@SouthFayetteFan’s Guide to the RIGHT way to churn!
Fair Warning – this is a long post, but something I think many of you here may enjoy reading… Lately there has been a lot of discussion on r/churning and other groups (at times heated) regarding the RIGHT way to churn. I figured, I’d share with our group the RIGHT way to churn so we are all on the same page.
- Some people like to churn slowly. They want to open no more than 2-3 cards per year, and never more than one card at a time. In between MSRs they focus on category bonuses on their existing cards…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people like to open as many cards as possible, dozens in a year even. They push the envelope of the issuers’ rules and throw caution to the wind. They’ve never met a signup bonus they didn’t like AND they wouldn’t dare think about going without an MSR for even a day…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people like to get a moderate amount of cards each year, hovering around 5/24 so that they avoid being locked out by Chase but still putting the majority of their spend towards an MSR…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people are in Two-Player mode and can alternate applications and increase their earning potential…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people have no player two. They go about it on their own and do their best to earn as many points as possible…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people have an unwilling player two. They wish that their P2 would be willing like others that comment so happily about their ability to double their earnings. But they still do their best to earn as many points as possible (and convince their P2 to join eventually) …and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people are super-comfortable with Business Cards. They have so many you’d think they are a Fortune 500 company…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people are wary of applying for a Business Card. It’s just not something they’re comfortable with and they still earn a decent number of points focusing on personal cards only…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people get non-Chase personal cards while still under 5/24 (GASP!) because it fits their strategy…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people wouldn’t think of touching a non-Chase personal card until they’re over 5/24…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people pay numerous annual fees to keep cards open because it’s worth it to them…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people avoid annual fees at all costs and product change or cancel cards rather than paying them…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people like to use churning to take extravagant trips beyond most folk’s wildest imaginations. They often incur additional expenses (annual fees, out of pocket costs, etc.) to do this but they love it and can afford it…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people take a moderate number of vacations each year which churning is able to partially or fully pay for and wouldn’t think of wasting their precious points stash on things like First Class or Awesome hotel suites…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people use churning to help afford just one nice vacation a year because finances or tight, or they have a large family, or for myriad other reasons…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people focus on cash back because travel is not their cup of tea…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people love to participate in MS (Manufactured Spending), they not only enjoy the points they earn, but they actually have fun doing it. It’s a game to see how many points they can generate at the least expensive cost…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people will only do MS from the comfort of their couch (bank funding, applepay, etc.)…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people think MS is not for them, perhaps they even think it’s illegal or skirting the rules. They don’t judge others for doing it but choose not to participate themselves…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people will focus on numerous programs all at the same time. Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Southwest, Delta, United, American, URs, MRs…it doesn’t matter, they’ll take ‘em! They’ve never found a point they didn’t like…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people choose to focus on a limited number of programs, perhaps even a program that others think isn’t quite worth it (yup I’m looking at you HILTON!) …and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people also like to do bank bonuses as a way to increase their earnings in the game…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people think bank bonuses aren’t worth the hassle…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people plan multi-year strategies of which cards they’ll get and when. They can’t imagine somebody participating in this game without having a game-plan (and perhaps they even quietly judge those that don’t have one…although they’d never publicly shame them) …and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people have no strategy whatsoever. Whichever card they feel like next…that’s the card they get. Gosh, we’ll just figure out how to use the points later. They think people who have these plans are just setting themselves up for disappointment because the rules will change and the target will move anyways…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people have a spreadsheet to track every detail (or heck, maybe dozens of spreadsheets in my case) …and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people just keep track on a napkin…or maybe not at all. Keeping all that data is too much of a hassle and if the game requires work like that, well then it’s not just fun…and THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO CHURN
- Some people forget to use a Support Link on DISchurners…and they are shunned…and THIS IS THE…wait…no that’s the wrong way to churn
JK JK JK!!!
The truth of the matter is…There is no WRONG way to churn. I love how accepting this group is of everybody’s varying preferences and habits in the game. I know we all are happy to share OUR PERSONAL best practices, but
nobody forces their “right” way on others. I truly love our group here, I’m glad we have a friendly space to discuss churning without anger, name-calling, and other drama. Just consider this a friendly reminder that when somebody is doing something different than you in the game…that maybe it’s their right way to churn!
I'm holding off on referring DH until I hear what happened. I know it's only one DP, but it's one of us, so somehow it feels more real. Fingers and toes are crossed that he can get it reinstated.
. . . I had meant just to get an idea of what prices would be, but I realized that Disney is offering free dining during the time we will be there. We've never done free dining before because it's been a better deal to get a room discount, but we will be there the week of Christmas so I'm not expecting any discounts. Although I wasn't expecting free dining either. If a room discount does come out, I'll probably cancel the free dining package, but I assume I could do that regardless (as long as it's 30 days before).
I certainly am.
