I love credit cards so much!

[JKalai]

Yup. So disappointed.

I mean, I get why MMS would want to submit an article like this. Every blog needs clicks for revenue...

But why would you want to ruin it for everyone else including yourself?! Sooner or later if these “travel hack blogs” keep up, they won’t have anything to report about because it’ll all be dead.

What are some blogs with integrity to follow? I really only follow DOC right now.

 

[wendow]

I’ll probably PC or cancel my wife’s CIP. Probably cancel because if you’re still under 5/24, you could sign up for the CIC and/or CIU and get 50k bonuses on each. No bonus for downgrading.

There’s still some value in keeping one CIP for eBay fees and shipping expenses, phone insurance, and referrals since the CIP still offers a solid 80k signup bonus.

My thinking exactly! I still see value in holding one CIP but I will close one of ours, most likely my dh's, and get a CIU for him.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Hello CC Wizards!

I've read through some of this thread, and WHOA. So much I don't know! I was hoping y'all could lend your expertise in our situation.

Currently, we have a Disney Chase VISA (opened 2012), and a Premier Rewards Gold AMEX (opened 2012). We use the AMEX for any and all purchases we can (about $3k spend/month), and the Disney card for bigger purchases, and discount purposes on our frequent Disney trips (we are close enough to WDW for day trips and are APs). We had a Chase Freedom that closed this year due to inactivity. My credit score is in the high 700s, and my DH's is low 700s. Neither of us have opened any new accounts in the last 2 years (besides a car loan in 2016).

We have 260K Membership Reward Points banked with the AMEX. I've received an offer to upgrade to Platinum, for 25K bonus points (with a $2k spend in the next 2 months).

Our goals in the next couple of years are to travel to Disneyland, and take our kiddos to see snow (thinking Banff, or somewhere out west!). We also love cruising! I have a feeling we're not maximizing our monthly spend to get all we can get. We're looking to make a bigger purchase (new flooring) in the next month or so, and may finance some of that.

Both my DH and I are willing to open accounts to get the most benefits.

Thoughts? Please let me know if you need more information!!

ETA: Neither of us have any type of "side hustle" for business card purposes. I have been thinking of ways to change that though!!

Hi and Welcome....Your doing great since you haven’t opened any new cards in two years...since Chase has a 5/24rule which means you can’t open more that 5 of any type of card in 24 months...so the recommendation is to apply for Chase cards first every 3-4 months for their UR points....since they are flexible and can be transferred to different airlines and hotels... the Chase cards recommended first with the highest sign up bonus points are CSP and CSR....if your open to a business card CIP....I’m not sure what credit score is recommended for any of these...maybe someone else here know

 

[palhockeymomof2]

ok what does 2 weeks mean when you call? Needed to call to get signed into my account but called to see if I was approved first since I can't log on to check. Thanks

With Chase ?....I had that message and was approved a day later for the CIP

 

[Lain]

Right, thanks my math was off I'm all over the place right now. lol

If you’re 1/90, then you may have to decide between the SPG Personal or the SPG Lux.

I personally would go for the SPG Lux and save the SPG personal for December 2018 or January 2019.

We know the SPG Personal will be discontinued to new applicants sometime early next year when the Marriott brands fully merge.

You got your Chase Marriott card in December 2017, so you could close that card at 1 year.

To qualify for the SPG Personal, you can’t have held the Marriott Rewards, Premier, Premier Plus, or Ritz Carlton card in the past 30 days. (Noticeably, the restrictions don’t include the Marriott Biz.)

By comparison, the SPG Lux’s qualifications are a lot more strict. You can see them here: https://3rjfy21znlo631twxe405qqvzc4...com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Amex-Chart.png

So the takeaway:

1. If you have to choose between the two SPG cards with your 1/90 slot, go for the SPG Lux before 8/26 or the new restrictions will disqualify you.

2. You can still proceed with a Sapphire double dip in 1-1.5 months, before Amex reports the new SPG Lux in ~2 months. This is in the September timeframe.

3. Between October and December, if you’re feeling confident, you could even try for a Marriott Biz because that’s not subject to the 5/24 rule and you’ll be over 5/24 by then (4/24 + CSR+CSP+SPG Lux.) The SPG Lux or Marriott Biz will not disqualify you from getting the SPG personal.

CORRECTION: You won’t be able to get the Marriott Biz after 8/26 because you’ll have gotten the SPG Biz and SPG Lux. You’ll need to wait 24 months after your last bonus from one of these cards posted. See: https://3rjfy21znlo631twxe405qqvzc4...om/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/chase-chart.png

4. When your Marriott personal hits a year in or around December 2018, cancel it. But wait until the anniversary certificate is in your Marriott account first.

5. 31 days later, you’ll be good to go for the SPG personal assuming it’s still around. Again, Amex should keep issuing the SPG personal until the Marriott brands all merge under one name in early-2019. There’s some thought to wait on the SPG personal if you can because the current 75k offer is kind of low (the equivalent of the regular old 25k Starpoints offer), and some think Amex may offer an increased bonus at some point before the card goes away to attract more Amex cardmembers.

 

[trenty]

Good news - DH approved for the United Mileage Explorer Card (thanks @Lain)
Bad news - can't get it expedited and we have bills to pay.

 

[FloridaNative8]

Welcome to the thread! You and your husband are at a GREAT PLACE we call 0/24 (meaning no new accounts in 2 years) and that means that ALL cards are available to you!

If you would be open to a business card that could affect our recommendations.

The basic answer for you here is we are going to start with Ultimate Rewards cards (URs) which are some of the most versatile points out there. The most likely recommended cards include Chase Ink Preferred (CIP - biz card), Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR), Chase Sapphire Preferred (CSP), Chase Ink Cash (CIC), and they have 3 other cards too we discuss at times.

Other info that might help...Do you have an airline of choice? Does Southwest fly out of your airport to convenient destinations? Do you have a preferred hotel chain (that maybe you already have some opints with)?

Thanks for the response @SouthFayetteFan !

I would definitely be open to a business card. I can essentially use my SSN as my EIN, correct? I do have some stuff I could sell on Ebay (and have recently sold at a garage sale).

We fly out of TPA, so SW is a perfect choice for us.

I don't have many points with a hotel chain, but I have Hilton Honors (only about 17k points), and 5500 with Marriott/SPG.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

With Chase ?....I had that message and was approved a day later for the CIP

yes thanks need to call them to get online but also don't want to mess with the app so I'll wait another day or two before calling to get logged into my account.

 

[Lain]

Yeah, I think Im going to wait to do the personal. Maybe I can get the CSR/CSP today too after I get the CIC? I just don't want to risk not being able to get the CSR/CSP.

you can't have more than 2 apps in a month. so the double dip won't work this month unless they changed something and I missed it

@3 DD love princesses is right. You won’t be able to double dip until next month.

 

[Lain]

Good news - DH approved for the United Mileage Explorer Card (thanks @Lain)
Bad news - can't get it expedited and we have bills to pay.

Awesome!


Did you use the 50k in-flight offer link?

 

[palhockeymomof2]

yes thanks need to call them to get online but also don't want to mess with the app so I'll wait another day or two before calling to get logged into my account.

Is it a business or personal card ? ...I had to set up a new log in when I got my first business card...not sure if you still do though

 

[DisneyMandC]

Ugh, is there anything more depressing than going to Costco when you're only working on MSRs on Amex and Mastercard?

I mean, probably having 27 unattached cat 6 Marriott certificates, but still...

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Thanks for the response @SouthFayetteFan !

I would definitely be open to a business card. I can essentially use my SSN as my EIN, correct? I do have some stuff I could sell on Ebay (and have recently sold at a garage sale).

We fly out of TPA, so SW is a perfect choice for us.

I don't have many points with a hotel chain, but I have Hilton Honors (only about 17k points), and 5500 with Marriott/SPG.

Yes you use your name and SS number for the business information. I sell on eBay as a second job..and have opened 2 business cards
Do you fly a lot....if so the southwest companion pass may be valuable to you

 

[speedyfishy]

@3 DD love princesses is right. You won’t be able to double dip until next month.

Applying on the same day doesn't bypass this?

 

[Lain]

Applying on the same day doesn't bypass this?

Not from anything I’ve seen.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thanks for the response @SouthFayetteFan !

I would definitely be open to a business card. I can essentially use my SSN as my EIN, correct? I do have some stuff I could sell on Ebay (and have recently sold at a garage sale).

We fly out of TPA, so SW is a perfect choice for us.

I don't have many points with a hotel chain, but I have Hilton Honors (only about 17k points), and 5500 with Marriott/SPG.

Awesome - I PMed you some info on our DISchurners site as well as some biz card application tips! I think the "list" of cards you'd be interested in are:

• Chase Ink Preferred (CIP) - biz card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR)
• Chase Sapphire Preferred (CSP)
• Southwest Business Card
• Southwest Personal Card(s) - there are 3 of them

Since your husband is interested too you can alternate applying for cards and even refer each other to cards for extra points! A CIP card for you now would be a great start while we formulate the rest of the plan. That signup bonus is 80,000 Ultimate Rewards (URs) for $5,000 Minimum Spend Requirement (MSR) in 3 months. That signup is worth somewhere between $850 and $1,275 depending on how you redeem the points!

I don't have any "support link" available on CIP currently...but PLEASE consider supporting one of our great DISers when you apply. You can find a support link on our DISchurners Reddit group (which I PMed you about).

 

[speedyfishy]

Not from anything I’ve seen.

Ok, so I guess the CSR/CSP will have to wait 30 days. I'll see how easy it is for me to get approved for the CIC. I think I'm done with instant approvals for Chase. I lowered my limits tho. Ill see how recon goes in a bit

 

[wendow]

Thanks for the response @SouthFayetteFan !

I would definitely be open to a business card. I can essentially use my SSN as my EIN, correct? I do have some stuff I could sell on Ebay (and have recently sold at a garage sale).

We fly out of TPA, so SW is a perfect choice for us.

I don't have many points with a hotel chain, but I have Hilton Honors (only about 17k points), and 5500 with Marriott/SPG.

Selling on eBay is my 'business' too You are in a perfect position to go for the Chase Ink Preferred (CIP). It's a fav around here for the sign-up bonus.

I didn't see the previous responses to your first post but just an fyi, the SW personal cards have low bonuses right now so I'd hold off on those.

If you can meet a 5k spend in 3 mos., I'd suggest you start with the CIP.

 

[FloridaNative8]

Yes you use your name and SS number for the business information. I sell on eBay as a second job..and have opened 2 business cards
Do you fly a lot....if so the southwest companion pass may be valuable to you

I don't fly much, and when I do, it's usually for work about 3 times a year. Although 2 of those trips are usually to Canada so SW isn't an option.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

Is it a business or personal card ? ...I had to set up a new log in when I got my first business card...not sure if you still do though

I have a business card already and my account is actually a business account. I attached my personal cards to it. I cleared my cookies again and now having to call them to get back on. I'll call them in a couple days to get logged on this way it gives time for my app to process don't want to mess with that.

Applying on the same day doesn't bypass this?

no it won't bypass the 2/30