I love credit cards so much!

[CyndiLouWho]

I'm a SAHM with only DH's income and have more credit cards than I can deal with. She can do it. That BoA Travel Rewards card is a great pick!

I know she can, she insists she cannot

Based on what I think you're asking, I'm going to answer it slightly differently. Instead of joining the SwissAir program, they should join United's frequent flyer program and have those flight miles credited to a United account. Unless they fly SwissAir a lot, it would be hard for them to accrue enough SwissAir miles to redeem for anything. At least with United, they have options to build up United balances (portal shopping, dining, credit cards, etc.) Here's the United page about that- https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/ma...s/Pages/AirlinePartnerDetails.aspx?ItemId=297

Didn’t know that was an option.

Which platinum accounts?

Chase Plat checking. I know they have a bunch of money at Chase, so I’m assuming they have a better account than little ole me.

I would suggest that they use their United FF number and that way the flight gets credited as United FF miles.

I will tell her. They have no FF accounts for any of them (2 adults/3kids). Trying to convince her because she hates taking her kids on flights (Their last, and only for the younger kids, was when I dragged the whole family to WDW in 2014). She's like “I know nothing about this, we just let the TA book it”. I’m like “you could have asked me, I know peeps”

 

[Ava]

I (well, DW) was denied the match to the 80K IHG offer. I replied to the SM and stated my disappointment in being denied a match to the higher offer, especially in light of the the anniversary night certificate being devalued before I'd even earned one. (It's still unclear if they are grandfathering new accounts in to the unrestricted certificate, right?) I'm actually not too sad about it, because a match would add $1K more to the large MSR I have to do in the next 3 months, but at the same time I always want more points! LOL.

I also chatted with AmEx tonight to confirm the date by which I have to meet the $7K MSR on my SPG Biz. I have until June 14th. And I removed the cash advance option from the card as a precaution, then set it up on Plastiq and scheduled next month's rent payment. Unfortunately I'll only be able to get in 2 rent payments towards the MSR, unless I pay July's early. We'll see when it gets closer to the deadline if I need to do that or not.

Now that I have an MSR that will keep me busy for the next 3 months, I want to focus on deciding my next move and a strategy for go forward. I think focusing on URs and SPG/Marriott points is a good short-term strategy for us since we already have cards/points in those programs and have gotten good value from our URs so far.

DW is 4/24 and won't have a card drop off until Nov 2019 so I need to be strategic about her next card(s). I am thinking CIP will be next for her, so I can refer her before my AF comes due in Sept since I plan to cancel at that point. Then she'll still be 4/24 to go for the Marriott personal (if it still exists by later this year). After that, an SPG card for her probably depending on what the options are.

I'm 2/24 so I have more options. I will apply for the Marriott personal the same month as DW so our anniversary nights will line up. I don't know if we'll end up keeping the cards past the first year, but at least we can get 2 free nights (plus 156K points) out of it for no AF. Besides that, the only other Chase card I want that is subject to 5/24 is the CIC. I'd rather get it as a new application (as opposed to PCing the CIP) so I can get the bonus. Should I apply for the CIC before or after I cancel the CIP?

I also got DW to commit to some travel plans for next year so I can seriously get to work on the points strategy. For February break, we want to do either a beach resort (Caribbean or Mexico) or a cruise out of FL. Somewhere warm! I know I'm probably a bit late in booking the best beach resorts on points since it's less than a year out, but if anyone has recommendations I'd love to hear them. My only requirement is that it be family-friendly, preferably with a kids club of some sort. My "back up plan" is a 4- or 5-night cruise out of FL. We've never cruised before so figure a shorter one would be good to try it out.

For next summer, I'm pretty sure we're going to go for London. Our youngest will be 6, and is becoming a better traveler with every trip, so we think by then she'll be ready. I've actually got that one somewhat figured out already as we've been considering it for a while. UR points for the flight - we already have over 220K so more than enough for economy tickets based on prices I've seen for this summer - and hotels can be covered with a combo of IHG free nights/points and Marriott/SPG points. Depending on where exactly we go, I'm toying with the idea of doing a couple nights each in Bath & Brighton in addition to 4 or 5 in London.

Anyway, this is a novel at this point. Any feedback on my plans (CC or travel) is appreciated.

 

[platamama]

I know she can, she insists she cannot



I will tell her. They have no FF accounts for any of them (2 adults/3kids). Trying to convince her because she hates taking her kids on flights (Their last, and only for the younger kids, was when I dragged the whole family to WDW in 2014). She's like “I know nothing about this, we just let the TA book it”. I’m like “you could have asked me, I know peeps”

This is beginning to sound like one of those situations where a person is stuck in their ways, and it could get ugly if they feel you "forced" them to do something and for some reason things go sideways and they blame you. Just let her pay more in fees. And then you go on awesome vacations that have her going, "How on earth do you manage all THAT?"

 

[3 DD love princesses]

I (well, DW) was denied the match to the 80K IHG offer. I replied to the SM and stated my disappointment in being denied a match to the higher offer, especially in light of the the anniversary night certificate being devalued before I'd even earned one. (It's still unclear if they are grandfathering new accounts in to the unrestricted certificate, right?) I'm actually not too sad about it, because a match would add $1K more to the large MSR I have to do in the next 3 months, but at the same time I always want more points! LOL.

I also chatted with AmEx tonight to confirm the date by which I have to meet the $7K MSR on my SPG Biz. I have until June 14th. And I removed the cash advance option from the card as a precaution, then set it up on Plastiq and scheduled next month's rent payment. Unfortunately I'll only be able to get in 2 rent payments towards the MSR, unless I pay July's early. We'll see when it gets closer to the deadline if I need to do that or not.

Now that I have an MSR that will keep me busy for the next 3 months, I want to focus on deciding my next move and a strategy for go forward. I think focusing on URs and SPG/Marriott points is a good short-term strategy for us since we already have cards/points in those programs and have gotten good value from our URs so far.

DW is 4/24 and won't have a card drop off until Nov 2019 so I need to be strategic about her next card(s). I am thinking CIP will be next for her, so I can refer her before my AF comes due in Sept since I plan to cancel at that point. Then she'll still be 4/24 to go for the Marriott personal (if it still exists by later this year). After that, an SPG card for her probably depending on what the options are.

I'm 2/24 so I have more options. I will apply for the Marriott personal the same month as DW so our anniversary nights will line up. I don't know if we'll end up keeping the cards past the first year, but at least we can get 2 free nights (plus 156K points) out of it for no AF. Besides that, the only other Chase card I want that is subject to 5/24 is the CIC. I'd rather get it as a new application (as opposed to PCing the CIP) so I can get the bonus. Should I apply for the CIC before or after I cancel the CIP?

I also got DW to commit to some travel plans for next year so I can seriously get to work on the points strategy. For February break, we want to do either a beach resort (Caribbean or Mexico) or a cruise out of FL. Somewhere warm! I know I'm probably a bit late in booking the best beach resorts on points since it's less than a year out, but if anyone has recommendations I'd love to hear them. My only requirement is that it be family-friendly, preferably with a kids club of some sort. My "back up plan" is a 4- or 5-night cruise out of FL. We've never cruised before so figure a shorter one would be good to try it out.

For next summer, I'm pretty sure we're going to go for London. Our youngest will be 6, and is becoming a better traveler with every trip, so we think by then she'll be ready. I've actually got that one somewhat figured out already as we've been considering it for a while. UR points for the flight - we already have over 220K so more than enough for economy tickets based on prices I've seen for this summer - and hotels can be covered with a combo of IHG free nights/points and Marriott/SPG points. Depending on where exactly we go, I'm toying with the idea of doing a couple nights each in Bath & Brighton in addition to 4 or 5 in London.

Anyway, this is a novel at this point. Any feedback on my plans (CC or travel) is appreciated.

I’d go for the CIC this month there’s no fee. Unless you have another bus Card other than the CIP. 2 bus cards with chase seem to be ok. 3 is pushing it from what I’ve seen.

 

[Dugette]

@3 DD love princesses and @wendow already have you covered, but just adding this here with some handy numbers and link.

Start applying early during regular business hours of a non-holiday weekday in case you need to call Chase reconsideration or verification departments.

For personal cards, be sure you're not running afoul of the 2/30 rule: you can only have two applications every 30 days or you'll likely be rejected.

Apply for the card you want first. If DH has the CSR, do what @3 DD love princesses suggested and have DH generate a referral link for you to apply through: https://www.chase.com/referafriend/chasesapphirereserve. That's a bonus 10,000 UR to DH if you're approved. If you aren't auto-approved and perhaps got the we'll let you know in 30 days message, call the automated status line at 1-800-432-3117 to check the status of your application. If you still aren't approved after an hour or so, call recon at 1-888-270-2127 to get it approved.

After that first card is approved, use a different internet browser or an incognito window for the second application, otherwise Chase may combine the apps thinking they're accidental duplicates. If it isn't auto-approved, call the automated status line after an hour, and if you still aren't approved call recon to get it approved.

Good luck!

Thank you! If I have a chance at work tomorrow morning, I'll do this. DH's CSR referral link - will that only work to get me the CSR? But I want the CSP more, so should apply for CSP first and then use his referral link in another browser after approval for CSR?

Hi! It's good to see you back on the Dis! I miss your TRs. And I have to say thank you - a comment you made in your TR is what brought me over to this awesome thread and introduced me to the credit card "hobby".

Hi!!! I need to get back on here more regularly, but it's been a struggle to have enough focused time and energy at the same time. I badly miss the TRs and am working towards being more regular on here again. The last year really threw me off all my routines. I'm so glad you found this info! Sure makes a lot more travel possible! We paid $600 of our DCL Alaska 2019 deposit w/DH's Barclay Arrival Plus card recently, then were able to get a credit for the full $600 from our points - that was sweet!

Informed delivery shows a $250 checking account bonus from TCF Bank is coming in the mail today. It doesn't seem to require a big initial deposit or direct deposit and has no maintenance fees. Will read all the details once it shows up in my box, but seems like an easy bonus to get. Has anyone else ever done a TCF Bank bonus?

DH and I both opened TCF accounts for bonuses last year. We got two different mailers a couple months apart. I think I had to spend $250 with a debit card and he had to make an electronic payment for $250? We both opened in branch. Took a little time in person (and they told me I could NOT fund with a credit card), but it was otherwise super easy and immediate bonus.

 

[mom2elal]

I'm sorry not to search through the thread, but what is the Chase status number again? I just applied for the SW card for my dh and got the "we'll send you a letter in 30 days". I'm wondering if it's because some of the credit bureaus are frozen. So what's the automated line and what's the number to talk to a person? Thanks!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I'm sorry not to search through the thread, but what is the Chase status number again? I just applied for the SW card for my dh and got the "we'll send you a letter in 30 days". I'm wondering if it's because some of the credit bureaus are frozen. So what's the automated line and what's the number to talk to a person? Thanks!

1-800-432-3117; Follow the prompts (should be #, 3, 1, SSN#)

 

[Ava]

I’d go for the CIC this month there’s no fee. Unless you have another bus Card other than the CIP. 2 bus cards with chase seem to be ok. 3 is pushing it from what I’ve seen.

I just got the SPG Biz with the 35K for $7K spend offer, so can't take on any more spend right now. I also have the Marriott Biz in addition to CIP. So would it be better to wait to go for CIC until after I've cancelled CIP, since I already have 2 Chase biz cards?

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thank you! If I have a chance at work tomorrow morning, I'll do this. DH's CSR referral link - will that only work to get me the CSR? But I want the CSP more, so should apply for CSP first and then use his referral link in another browser after approval for CSR?...

Link will only work for the CSR. You need a bit of time to do this FYI. Apply for the CSP and then if you don’t get immediate approval you need to call chase recon IMMEDIATELY and get it approved. Then open a browser in incognito/private browsing mode, pull up dh’s CSR link and apply for that one. I don’t remember if you are supposed to recon the 2nd app if it’s not immediately approved or if you are supposed to wait?! (Help from those who know better please )

 

[mom2elal]

1-800-432-3117; Follow the prompts (should be #, 3, 1, SSN#)

Thanks! Ugh! I decided to risk applying with only Experian unfrozen, because that's the bureau that Chase had us unfreeze for our recent HELOC. Now I'm wondering if it'll be denied BECAUSE of the heloc. I guess I'll have to make dh call and talk to a person tomorrow if the status hasn't changed to something good.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thanks! Ugh! I decided to risk applying with only Experian unfrozen, because that's the bureau that Chase had us unfreeze for our recent HELOC. Now I'm wondering if it'll be denied BECAUSE of the heloc. I guess I'll have to make dh call and talk to a person tomorrow if the status hasn't changed to something good.

What did the message say when you called?

 

[wendow]

Thank you! If I have a chance at work tomorrow morning, I'll do this. DH's CSR referral link - will that only work to get me the CSR? But I want the CSP more, so should apply for CSP first and then use his referral link in another browser after approval for CSR?

If CSP if top choice, apply for it first. Recon if not immediately approved. Then open another browser, use dh's CSR link to apply for that card. Unfortunately, yes, your dh's CSR link will only work for that card. There may be someone here who could benefit from your click through the DISchurners group. I'm not sure if you joined before but if not, @SouthFayetteFan or @Albort could get you set up
And good luck!

 

[wendow]

Thanks! Ugh! I decided to risk applying with only Experian unfrozen, because that's the bureau that Chase had us unfreeze for our recent HELOC. Now I'm wondering if it'll be denied BECAUSE of the heloc. I guess I'll have to make dh call and talk to a person tomorrow if the status hasn't changed to something good.

Does a HELOC count against your 5/24? I wouldn't think it would.

Curious also what the status line said??

 

[CyndiLouWho]

This is beginning to sound like one of those situations where a person is stuck in their ways, and it could get ugly if they feel you "forced" them to do something and for some reason things go sideways and they blame you. Just let her pay more in fees. And then you go on awesome vacations that have her going, "How on earth do you manage all THAT?"

She already thinks my vacations are ridiculous and knows how I do it. She rolled her eyes at our cruise plans. I was shocked she even agreed to this vacation because paying 6k for airfare is ridiculous to her. She did insist they put it on Discover not the debit card. Lol. They are staying with family so no hotels costs, which sounded great I’m sure (Couldn’t Pay me to spend 2 weeks with inlaws, but to each his own) She will do what she wants and is not financially irresponsible so no worries there.

 

[wendow]

I just got the SPG Biz with the 35K for $7K spend offer, so can't take on any more spend right now. I also have the Marriott Biz in addition to CIP. So would it be better to wait to go for CIC until after I've cancelled CIP, since I already have 2 Chase biz cards?

It definitely seems to be harder to be approved for 3 Chase biz cards. In your case, I'd probably cancel the CIP before applying for the CIC.

 

[mom2elal]

What did the message say when you called?

Still 30 days in writing

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Still 30 days in writing

Then you didn't get auto-denied. It's still processing, be an optimist It's an approval in waiting haha!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

It definitely seems to be harder to be approved for 3 Chase biz cards. In your case, I'd probably cancel the CIP before applying for the CIC.

@Ava - I agree with the thought here BUT the problem is if you get denied then you don't have a CIP or a CIC... It's a tough call...

 

[Albort]

Still 30 days in writing

i applied on a thurs night, it didnt approve till Monday... just keep calling status line until something changes...

 

[wendow]

@Ava - I agree with the thought here BUT the problem is if you get denied then you don't have a CIP or a CIC... It's a tough call...

Agree...I've been going back and forth with it myself. I'm going to end up cancelling the CIP before applying for the CIC just based on when my CIP AF will hit (june) and when I am finally...if ever...done with the 7k spg biz MSR and able to begin working on the CIC spend. My dh has a CIP though so any plastiq spending will just move to that if I get denied for the CIC. I'd love to see more DP's on people going for a 3rd Chase biz card.