I love credit cards so much!

[wendow]

I don't have one. I'm really reluctant go apply for a business card, but even I am considering a CIP. All those points...

This was me also for a couple years after i began travel hacking. It was the CIP that changed my mind. I wanted those UR's enough to put my fears aside and go for it. I also spent some time with a Chase banker. She encouraged me telling me that if I sold anything, no matter how much or how often, I was eligible to open a business card. Before that, I was concerned I truly didn't qualify for a business card but the Chase banker (who is actually the manager of my branch) told me otherwise. After that, I was anxious to go for a CIP.

 

[calypso726]

I keep forgetting about the benefit. I have a CSR. What have you used it for?

If you mean the concierge service on the CSR, I've only used that for the one reservation in Maui at Mama's Fish House that Amex Plat concierge couldn't secure. I rarely use concierge services on credit cards. I would only resort to those when I can't get a dining reservation on my own or need hard to get tickets to a show. I've used Amex Plat concierge twice to get Hamilton tickets.

For those who may be wondering why on earth one would keep a CSR beyond the bonus after the first year. The CSR is a keeper card for me because it increases the value of my UR points from 1.25 to 1.5. The effective cost difference between this card and the CSP or CIP is $55. It's a $450 card but the travel credit is used and triggered without even buying airline gift cards. Tolls alone will eat up the $300 in no time, so that is something I am spending OOP with or without the card. So now we are looking at a card that costs me $150 vs the $95 AF cards, a $55 difference. CF, CFU and CIC can't be used to transfer points to airlines so I must keep a card that can. I redeem URs for travel each year and the difference in how many points I use when I have a CSR vs how many I would use if I only had a CSP or CIP covers that $55 difference many times over each year. The same goes for DH. Therefore, we both keep a CSR. This is a card that is never on the chopping block consideration when we go over what cards to keep or toss. There is only one other high AF card we have that is a no brainer for us and is also never going to be on the chopping block so long as the benefits don't change and that is the Amex Hilton Aspire.

CIP is unequivocally the first card I would recommend to anybody. To me it is the best and most lucrative offer out there. I’m surprised you don’t have one yet as it seems everybody has one here. (I used to feel like the only one who didn’t have one until I got under 5/24 and joined the movement).

I don't have one, never have had one and will likely never have one. I'm at "Pish Posh"/24 and will probably stay there. Then again, I do still hold the old Ink Plus. However, I do agree that the CIP is the best bonus out there and would recommend it to anyone.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Warning: long post ahead...
So DH is at 3/24. We have a couple big purchases coming up which will total around $3k.
We have no immediate plans for the points, but we have about 50,000 SW Rapid Reward points (plus companion pass till end of year), 10,000 American Airlines points, about 135,000 Marriott points, and about 60,000 UR.
We have no plans for using any of these in the immediate future; however, I have been toying with the idea of a couple vacation spots: Disneyland, Yellowstone, and a Disney Cruise (we would do one of these, but not all 3).
DH currently holds
3 SW cards (one is a business), a Chase Freedom, and a CSP.

What should be his next card?

How long ago did he get a Chase card...I’d go for the CIP...80k URs...if it’s more than 1-2 months

 

[dmp609]

Hi everyone! I love reading these posts and have learned a ton, but am still confused about a few things. I would love to get a CIP card and it seems like almost everyone on this board has this one or some type of business card. I currently have no business activity. I work for a great company and that is where my income comes from. I have sold some items to a consignment store, but that's it. If I wanted to start something that might qualify me for a CIP, what would be an easy thing to do? Maybe sell some used books through Amazon? I am really lame when it comes to this type of thing. Thanks so much for any advice.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

His last card was last year. Maybe March? I’d have to double check. Would you still do the CIP over the Citi AA?
I was also toying with the idea of referring him for a Marriott card, but I’m apprehensive because since the merger, our favorite SPG hotels are unattainable with points (or simply just won’t book them on points out of principle.)
Thoughts?

I would Definitely do CIP over Citi

 

[amcc]

It's amazing what a difference 18 or so months can make in this game...

We just cancelled our last AMEX card with an AF (My wife's Delta Gold Biz). We now only have 5 AMEX cards open between us... We've gotten 21 AMEX cards combined and at one point had I think 17 or 18 of them open at once... It feels a little strange...like the end of an era in my churning career.

Do you feel that history has impacted your relationship with Amex regarding new card applications? Amex just seems so arbitrary who they consider worthy but what do I know? I don’t have an Amex (but hoping that changes next Month).

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I don't have one. I'm really reluctant go apply for a business card, but even I am considering a CIP. All those points...

Totally get this..I was scared to apply and actually sell on eBay regularly..was still hard to step out of my comfort zone...but it’s worked out great so far

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Do you feel that history has impacted your relationship with Amex regarding new card applications? Amex just seems so arbitrary who they consider worthy but what do I know? I don’t have an Amex (but hoping that changes next Month).

Just my experience...didn’t have any Amex cards...opened a SPG business card the end of November and was just approved for the Blue Business Plus card..

 

[Chancery8]

Hi everyone! I love reading these posts and have learned a ton, but am still confused about a few things. I would love to get a CIP card and it seems like almost everyone on this board has this one or some type of business card. I currently have no business activity. I work for a great company and that is where my income comes from. I have sold some items to a consignment store, but that's it. If I wanted to start something that might qualify me for a CIP, what would be an easy thing to do? Maybe sell some used books through Amazon? I am really lame when it comes to this type of thing. Thanks so much for any advice.

Selling anything on Amazon would count. Pretty much anything can be considered as a “business”. Sell garage stuff on Craigslist, eBay, etc.?Babysit? It all counts.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Hi everyone! I love reading these posts and have learned a ton, but am still confused about a few things. I would love to get a CIP card and it seems like almost everyone on this board has this one or some type of business card. I currently have no business activity. I work for a great company and that is where my income comes from. I have sold some items to a consignment store, but that's it. If I wanted to start something that might qualify me for a CIP, what would be an easy thing to do? Maybe sell some used books through Amazon? I am really lame when it comes to this type of thing. Thanks so much for any advice.

Since you’ve already sold stuff to the consignment shop and are considering selling books on amazon etc...that can be considered a business...
if/when you do apply put your name and SS number as the business name and EIN....also remember to put your company salary in the spot where they ask for total household income

 

[3 DD love princesses]

Warning: long post ahead...
So DH is at 3/24. We have a couple big purchases coming up which will total around $3k.
We have no immediate plans for the points, but we have about 50,000 SW Rapid Reward points (plus companion pass till end of year), 10,000 American Airlines points, about 135,000 Marriott points, and about 60,000 UR.
We have no plans for using any of these in the immediate future; however, I have been toying with the idea of a couple vacation spots: Disneyland, Yellowstone, and a Disney Cruise (we would do one of these, but not all 3).
DH currently holds
3 SW cards (one is a business), a Chase Freedom, and a CSP.

What should be his next card?

You’ve gotten great advice. I’d do the CIP using a dischurner link and then when you are under 5/24 use his referral and get one yourself. Great easy way to get a lot of UR.
As of now you can get disney park tickets still and hopefully resorts will come back.

I tried, I really think the CSP would be good for her and I did tell her she could redeem the points for cash so could look at it as a cash back card if she really wanted. But it was just too much. I think the spend scares her. Even though she's a college grad, she has no loans (a perk of my husband enlisting in Texas and passing benefits down to her to cover her college) and no bills. My kids are pretty lucky and getting a good start in life, way better than dh and I did.

I haven't really sat and talked with her about her budget until tonight. I was very happy to hear that she is saving a lot and is breaking her savings up between emergency and travel (something we never did). All the things no one ever taught me, my kids have been listening to me the past several years as I've learned everything and passed it down to them.

Do you mind sharing about the college? DH enlisted in TX. Thanks

Hi everyone! I love reading these posts and have learned a ton, but am still confused about a few things. I would love to get a CIP card and it seems like almost everyone on this board has this one or some type of business card. I currently have no business activity. I work for a great company and that is where my income comes from. I have sold some items to a consignment store, but that's it. If I wanted to start something that might qualify me for a CIP, what would be an easy thing to do? Maybe sell some used books through Amazon? I am really lame when it comes to this type of thing. Thanks so much for any advice.

DH really doesn’t have a business but I talked him into getting two cards now. He sells a couple items a year on Facebook.

 

[tink1970]

Do you mind sharing about the college? DH enlisted in TX. Thanks

It's called the Hazelwood Act and here's a link- https://www.tvc.texas.gov/education/hazlewood-act/

It broke my heart when I got out of the military and knew I couldn't use it (stayed in Florida b/c of joint custody). It's a great program if you qualify.

 

[miztressuz]

Hi everyone! I love reading these posts and have learned a ton, but am still confused about a few things. I would love to get a CIP card and it seems like almost everyone on this board has this one or some type of business card. I currently have no business activity. I work for a great company and that is where my income comes from. I have sold some items to a consignment store, but that's it. If I wanted to start something that might qualify me for a CIP, what would be an easy thing to do? Maybe sell some used books through Amazon? I am really lame when it comes to this type of thing. Thanks so much for any advice.

You sold stuff to the consignment shop, that's good enough to start. You can also get a card for the idea of starting a business, need the credit for startup costs. I sell stuff but despite my great plans of ramping up on Etsy this year it was still mainly in person sales at flea markets and auctions; so my online presence is still small. But I'd like a business credit card to separate those fees and costs out when I do ramp up online

Whatever it is you think you want to start, just make sure you're knowledgeable about the field so if you have to discuss your "business" with anyone you'll have answers. Get an idea of expected costs vs revenue, how you plan to grow, possibly what you expect to use the credit for. If you sell stuff that's mostly easy, inventory, so I think most people go that route. Also, they ask for revenue income on the applications, not profits, so don't short yourself. Knock on wood, we've been lucky and not had to talk to anyone for our applications, but both our side gigs have been long term hobbies so we're prepared if we ever have to.

 

[3 DD love princesses]

It's called the Hazelwood Act and here's a link- https://www.tvc.texas.gov/education/hazlewood-act/

It broke my heart when I got out of the military and knew I couldn't use it (stayed in Florida b/c of joint custody). It's a great program if you qualify.

Thanks DH mentioned this before but we aren’t in TX. Wondering if it would be worth it to let the kids do their senior year of HS in TX and go to college there. That is a lot of money we would save.

ETA DH stayed in MD and we are still paying his student loans.

 

[hsmamato2]

Heres DoCs post on it for those that might be interested: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rewa...-sharktank-loyalty-booking-tracking-platform/

ya know..... I may be the only one here but I dislike award wallet....I have tried a few times over to like this site (free version) but get nothing but glitchy issues with logging in and keeping track. I'm giving up,it takes me less time to just keep track on my own

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Hi everyone! I love reading these posts and have learned a ton, but am still confused about a few things. I would love to get a CIP card and it seems like almost everyone on this board has this one or some type of business card. I currently have no business activity. I work for a great company and that is where my income comes from. I have sold some items to a consignment store, but that's it. If I wanted to start something that might qualify me for a CIP, what would be an easy thing to do? Maybe sell some used books through Amazon? I am really lame when it comes to this type of thing. Thanks so much for any advice.

Hey - welcome to our awesome little corner of the DIS! You are definitely NOT lame. Pretty much every person here who has biz cards learned from somebody else how easy it is to qualify. So IF you are lame...we were all lame at some point

Depending on what extreme you want to take it to...if you've even thought about selling used books, you may have a qualifying business Perhaps you project to have a very lucrative 2019 with that idea.

 

[hsmamato2]

Chase biz..... I've tried repeatedly to get an employee card for the CIP- every time I get a 'site not working' error on the final page...is this bc we haven't yet gotten the main card,or something else?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Do you feel that history has impacted your relationship with Amex regarding new card applications? Amex just seems so arbitrary who they consider worthy but what do I know? I don’t have an Amex (but hoping that changes next Month).

My (and my wife's) history with AMEX has basically wrecked our future relationship with them. At this point we've opened 21 cards, closed 18 of them and on the vast majority haven't put a $ on them beyond the MSR and NEVER paid a 2nd year AF. Since I can't go back and revise history, I've pretty much written them off. Others that haven't perhaps abused them as bad could probably fix that relationship.

For somebody starting out, it's important to be methodical with your AMEX cards and only select cards where you like both the signup bonus but also the ongoing benefits.

 

[snugglebug]

Thanks DH mentioned this before but we aren’t in TX. Wondering if it would be worth it to let the kids do their senior year of HS in TX and go to college there. That is a lot of money we would save.

ETA DH stayed in MD and we are still paying his student loans.

We happened to move back to Tx from Maryland. When she got into A&M I stumbled across it trying to figure out how we going to pay for college (back up plan was me getting an out of the house job around homeschooling the littles). It saved us a ton. And since she went community college first and we did dual enrollment/out of pocket for that, she didn't use all of the credits. As long as they don't take away the pass down benefit we have credits left for one of the younger two now.

 

[Judique]

After getting outside to shovel, we actually only have 2”. The news reporter was one town over for us reporting and they had 5”.

So what do you have this morning?? We are a mess and I'm just going to wait until it melts!