I love credit cards so much!

[Lain]

Looking for advice...need to purchase 2 round trip tickets (most likely AA or United but possibly delta). Is it worth it to open a new card (tickets look to be about $700-$850 total)? We don’t fly often (next flight will be thanksgiving 2019).
I currently have freedom, Disney Visa, Discover, and BestBuy credit cards. My husband has discover,Disney, and a basic Amex.
The tickets need to be purchased very soon as the trip is next month.
Open to any suggestions! Thanks!

If you open up a new credit card, what do you want out of it? Travel rewards, free bags, cash back?

Very few of the more rewarding cards have a low minimum spending requirement of $500 or $1k; you'd be asked to put $3k-$5k to qualify for the signup bonus. Do you typically put everything on credit cards (and of course, pay them off every month) or do you do cash, checks, and debit?

Is signing up for credit cards for travel rewards towards future trips or trips you might not otherwise take, or cash back something you're interested in pursuing going forward, or is this a one-off thing for the plane tickets?

 

[striker1064]

P2 applied for a BoA Biz Cash card last night ($200 after $500 spend), which I've had previously and was auto-approved for a couple months ago. It went pending, so I called BoA this morning.

So first of all, getting connected to the right small biz department at BoA took around 20 minutes in itself. That was annoying.

The rep said the application could not be approved until I provided articles of incorporation, documentation proving ownership of the business, two years of business tax returns, and two years of personal tax returns.

I said "Sir, I'm sorry, but I'm a sole proprietor with a single rental property. I don't even have an EIN. What should I do?" He said just to send whatever I had with the letter that comes and the department would review it for approval.

Yeah, I don't think P2 is getting this card. Oh well.

 

[Lain]

@Limes96 originally asked the question, but I know a few folks are using the Plastiq Masterpass promo, so here goes:

I reposted this r/churning comment the other day, about the Masterpass promo applying to payments scheduled to be processed as late as 10/1, but delivered on 10/11: https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/9culx1/daily_discussion_thread_september_04_2018/e5e7g1n/

This blog did similar test payments to see when's the last date you can schedule payments with no fee, and it looks like 9/30 or 10/1, even though the payment won't be delivered until as late as 10/9.

The second link notes the conflicting language in Plastiq's Masterpass promo terms:

• Submit or schedule payments between June 1, 2018 12:00 a.m. ET and September 30, 2018 11:59 p.m. ET.
• The payments’ delivery date must be before or on September 30, 2018.

The terms say you need to schedule payments by 9/30/18, but that the payment must also be delivered by 9/30/18. Anyone who's used Plastiq knows that even electronic payments take a few days to be delivered. It seems the first term is controlling -- schedule your payments by 9/30/18 -- and Plastiq has built in a grace period for delivery.

 

[Lain]

P2 applied for a BoA Biz Cash card last night ($200 after $500 spend), which I've had previously and was auto-approved for a couple months ago. It went pending, so I called BoA this morning.

So first of all, getting connected to the right small biz department at BoA took around 20 minutes in itself. That was annoying.

The rep said the application could not be approved until I provided articles of incorporation, documentation proving ownership of the business, two years of business tax returns, and two years of personal tax returns.

I said "Sir, I'm sorry, but I'm a sole proprietor with a single rental property. I don't even have an EIN. What should I do?" He said just to send whatever I had with the letter that comes and the department would review it for approval.

Yeah, I don't think P2 is getting this card. Oh well.

Did you put on your high voice and pretend to be Mrs. striker1064?

 

[570traveler]

If you open up a new credit card, what do you want out of it? Travel rewards, free bags, cash back?

Very few of the more rewarding cards have a low minimum spending requirement of $500 or $1k; you'd be asked to put $3k-$5k to qualify for the signup bonus. Do you typically put everything on credit cards (and of course, pay them off every month) or do you do cash, checks, and debit?

Is signing up for credit cards for travel rewards towards future trips or trips you might not otherwise take, or cash back something you're interested in pursuing going forward, or is this a one-off thing for the plane tickets?

We don’t put a lot on credit each month (we have very little bills that could even be put on one). We do pay off our bills each month.
I’m basically looking for a way to maximize this purchase. Either with my current cards or by being able to quickly open another card. As I said we don’t really fly often so don’t necessarily need the perks (free bags, etc).

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Need some advice on what to do with my CSR. I just got hit with the annual fee. My original plan was to just cancel and reapply in a year but that’s off the table with the new 48 month rule.
I can downgrade to the CSP but I’m really wondering if I should bother with it. I barely eat out so no 3x on dining. We are traveling to Disney in Nov but that is all pretty much paid for. We have no big travel plans for at least two years.
My biggest thing for having the CSR was the bonus and the 1.5 redemption rate. The redemption rate is great but I can’t see myself getting enough URs on my Freedoms (already have freedom and unlimited) to pay for a whole hotel stay or cruise.

I would downgrade your CSR to another Freedom. Some of those categories are easy to max out and so instead of earning 7,500 URs in a quarter you could earn 15,000 URs in a quarter (with 2 CFs). I would focus on continuing to earn URs then, but don't use them (just accrue them).

When you have a substantial amount of URs, there's a few things you could consider:
1) Upgrade only to a CSP - you pay the $95 annual fee BUT you can now transfer URs to partners. I seem to recall you fly Southwest sometimes...If you were to transfer your URs to SW, it doesn't matter if you have a CSP, CIP, or CSR - you get the same value
2) Upgrade to a CSR - you could then double dip the $300 travel credit and MORE than offset your AF. Also you could re-up your TSA Pre or Global Entry. AND now you can redeem at the 1.5x or transfer to partners.

 

[hsmamato2]

I was just coming to do that today..... so here goes-DH and I both around 825 score- only listing pertinent cc's within last couple of years opened-
ME (CK total open 14) *** DH (CK total open 13)
11/5/16-SWA+ ****** 4/30/16-Amex Hh-(AU)
1/10/17-CSR ****** 12/1/16-CSP (PC'd -FU 1/18)
2/1/17-SWA prem. ****** 2/1/17-SWA Prem.(AU)
5/26/17-Hh Amex ****** 5/26/17-Amex Hh (AU)
7/10/17-Chase IHG ****** 7/10/17-Chase IHG (AU)
8/12/17-Amex BCP (AU) ****** 8/12/17-Amex BCP
1/3/18-Barclay Jetblue
2/5/18-PC'd CSP-FU
2/8/18-SPG biz
3/2/18-Discover IT
5/23/18-Hh Biz
So as noted- I want to get/refer DH for the SWA CP plan in Dec/Jan- But I need to get rid of some of those (stupid) Au on his report to get going here. Also considering another Hh amex for me since the offers are so high right now.... that plus upgrading one of my SPG cards to the Luxes(assume I can pc back to a reg card later on?) and keeping my CSR.
***ETA*** b/c the format looked awful after posting lol and to say my goals are SWA points for domestic travel(lots of fam travel) plus hotel points for free nights.Disney is in my future- (swolphin or Hilton LBV) I currently have about 70k SWA and need MORE. about 140k UR and always want more. have a Hilton booking +about 210k points left. Maybe 120k Starriott left. ALWAYS asking and needing next step advice,even thru the uncertainty of changing churning rules.

Sorry to requote myself here but I seeking some clarity..... next step for DH accts? Since I'm focused on the Cp/points for the next 3 months, does that mean I should leave other apps alone so he's approved?(I plan sw biz in Oct and pers in Nov.) I confess I haven't thought much at all about cic or cip at ALL. But. Things change,and I'm wondering if it makes sense for him (or me?) to get one of those cards for the 5x at office supply deals.... or am I in too deep with chase already? wwyd if these were your stats? I REALLY want to hear.....

 

[FloridaNative8]

I want to thank everyone for the lighthearted comedy being injected into the thread today. My emotions are on overload due to the DD sitch, finding out last night a very good friend ended her life Tuesday after her mother (also a good friend) died two weeks ago , and my dh is having open heart surgery next Friday. Definitely real life puts credit card bonuses in perspective but unfortunately it's just one more thing to fret over right now.

That's a lot to deal with - keeping you and yours in prayer!!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Sorry to requote myself here but I seeking some clarity..... next step for DH accts? Since I'm focused on the Cp/points for the next 3 months, does that mean I should leave other apps alone so he's approved?(I plan sw biz in Oct and pers in Nov.) I confess I haven't thought much at all about cic or cip at ALL. But. Things change,and I'm wondering if it makes sense for him (or me?) to get one of those cards for the 5x at office supply deals.... or am I in too deep with chase already? wwyd if these were your stats? I REALLY want to hear.....

I’m a slow churner ...and very cautious so if I was in your position...and the CP and SW points are your main goal..I wouldn’t have DH apply for any other Chase cards right now....and would go for the SW cards as you outlined above

 

[striker1064]

Did you put on your high voice and pretend to be Mrs. striker1064?

You know how some banks have that message stating they use voice recording to identify the caller? They're not going to know who the heck she is if she ever calls herself!

 

[Lain]

You know how some banks have that message stating they use voice recording to identify the caller? They're not going to know who the heck she is if she ever calls herself!

 

[jen7233]

DH got a United ad in the mail yesterday, advertising a 50k bonus. Is this good or just average in anyone's opinion? He has a whopping 949 United points at the moment. Our main goal is flying SW anyway so I've got those cards, but maybe we should have a backup airline!? I'm also just stacking and collecting UR just in case and maybe be able to transfer it to a partner airline if needed.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

Unfortunately it looks like it’s everyone...I’m waiting on a CIP 80,000 UR bonus....met MSR 8/14, statement closed 8/19...as of today the points are still not pending

Has anyone with a delayed sign up bonus passed their MSR date? I wonder if they have started waiting until that date has past before they credit you with the bonus?

 

[Lain]

DH got a United ad in the mail yesterday, advertising a 50k bonus. Is this good or just average in anyone's opinion? He has a whopping 949 United points at the moment. Our main goal is flying SW anyway so I've got those cards, but maybe we should have a backup airline!? I'm also just stacking and collecting UR just in case and maybe be able to transfer it to a partner airline if needed.

What airport do you fly out of, and where do your flights usually take you?

The offer on the United Explorer card has, historically, bounced around from 40k United miles to as high as 70k United miles. Occasionally, the points offer may also include a statement credit or waived annual fee. The current public offer on the Explorer card is 40k, and I believe the targeted offer is at a high of 60k. 50k is a decent offer, and it's also the same as the current in-flight offer. This year, my wife has been targeted with mailers for both 50k and 60k offers.

 

[hsmamato2]

Well, looks like maybe I did squeak through under the radar! I called and they told me since I applied for both cards on the same day they were lowering my credit level on the CSP, but I could keep both cards. I asked if the bonus was still attached to both cards and she said they were!

 

[DisneyMandC]

Has anyone with a delayed sign up bonus passed their MSR date? I wonder if they have started waiting until that date has past before they credit you with the bonus?

My MSR date was 9/9. Met MSR 8/17 and still waiting on points.

 

[KPK02090]

Definitely interested in whether you get the bonus 5x as well. I did not receive emails for any of my cards, and I have all of the cards that were targeted with emails. After hearing that it is a public offer, I plan to hit BB on Monday to buy a $200 Disney gc and pair with the Swagbucks offer. Figure I'll use my CFU to get 6.5x UR out of the transaction.

Please report back! If it works for you at 5x then I'll go this weekend.

I did go yesterday to Best Buy and purchased a DVD (Avengers Infinity War), 2 Dunkin Donut gift cards and a Sephora gift card. Total purchase was $102. I scanned the swagbucks code (my first time using it) and used Chase Pay with my CSR linked. The purchase is still pending on my CSR and I don't see anything for it yet under points. Also nothing showing up on Swagbucks yet.

Will let you know when the points show up on CSR how many I get. Not very confident on getting anything from Swagbucks, even though i should at the very least get 2x points for the DVD.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Has anyone with a delayed sign up bonus passed their MSR date? I wonder if they have started waiting until that date has past before they credit you with the bonus?

I havent and hope not...the MSR date on the card is in October or November...the delayed posting bonus started sometime in August....

 

[hsmamato2]

Me, too. I was mostly on either the resorts board or the DCL board. And I read some snide comments about how the budget board was about people bringing their crock pots to cook in their hotel rooms, etc. so I didn't ever really check it out.

I really miss those old threads.... crockpots were a hot topic!

 

[speedyfishy]

The Suntrust Signature checking was an easy $500. I just SMed them to downgrade my account to the essential checking. I had no fees hit my account despite not having the 25,000 in there. They waive it for a few cycles and my bonus posted quickly.