I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 (see first page for add'l details)

[palhockeymomof2]

Since I've experienced my first denial, I guess now I'm looking for some advice on what to try next! I've been a slow churner since about 2018, starting with Southwest and Chase cards. Here's my current list of cards in the last 24 months:
08/21 - Chase Sapphire Preferred (product changed to freedom unlimited)
03/22 - US Bank Altitude (cancelled)
11/22 - Chase Southwest personal
03/23 - IHG Premier

I also hold a American Express BlueCash Preferred and a Discover-it, and am an AU on 2 of P2 cards. He is an AU on my Discover and Amex Bluecash but not the others.

His cards are:

07/22 - Chase Sapphire Preferred (cancelled)
01/23 - Chase Marriot Bonvoy (for work mostly)
04/23 - Chase IHG Preferred

He also holds a Chase Amazon card and a Chase Freedom, and those are the ones I'm an AU on.

Our monthly expenses are quite low other than groceries (we are a family of 7), so our reoccurring monthly spending is between 2000-3000. We never carry balances or pay interest. Right now we are planning a Florida trip for January, so we are using all of our accrued Southwest points (225000 between us) and IHG points (350000+) for that. We have a small amount of UR's right now, about 25000, and only about 7000 Bonvoy points, after using the bulk of them for a trip this month. We are in the Boston area for flights, and are pretty loyal to Southwest. I like to accrue points for traveling, as it gets pretty pricey for our family!

I have about $10000 in expenses coming up over the next 4 or 5 months, so I had been planning to hit the Venture card to use for our upcoming trip, but I was denied and did not try P2 yet. I'm not a fan of cards that I need to do a lot of things to recoup Annual Fees as we live very rurally and do not have access to a lot of things like DoorDash, etc. We also only travel as a family about once a year.

I know the Chase business cards get a lot of love but P2 is a little gun shy about business cards, although I do resell on Ebay frequently, it is certainly not a business. I'm not sure if he'd be game for one for himself, so I couldn't count on a referral bonus there. Thank you for any and all advice -- it's so appreciated!!

Ugh on the denial…..I also sell on eBay from time to time and list that information when applying for Chase business cards.
Since you are 4/24 and Chase will not approve you if you get to 5/24…I’d wait and apply for a chase business card in July when you are 90 days from the last Chase application.

 

[hsmamato2]

Elevated Hilton offers that includes a free night on the no fee, Surpass, and biz. DoC link goes to all offers. Doesn't seem available via support.

Approved for the Surpass even though I've gotten pop-up on it before.

which of these 3 cards do you think is the best deal?

 

[Arcades]

which of these 3 cards do you think is the best deal?

If the higher 4k spend isn't a problem, then go with the Biz card first because it doesn't eat up a 5/24 slot for Chase. If 5/24 doesn't concern you because you don't get that many new cards in a 2 year period, Surpass is worth considering because it adds the 6x multiplier on groceries (and you can buy a lot of gift cards at the grocery store to expand that for things like Amazon, Apple, Airbnb, etc.)

 

[hsmamato2]

Since she's so bad with credit and it sounds like she's going to burn a hole in the card the second she gets it, maybe she should start off with a debit card? It sounds like she needs to learn more about proper money management before you or her think about getting her a credit card. Ruining her credit at such an early age is going to be a recipe for disaster for years down the road.

100% agreed.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

FreeDiningFanatic - I can't seem to reply directly to your post, it keeps getting flagged as spam --
Thank you! Yes, I stay home so we are pretty frugal to keep costs down. I think I'm willing to give the biz cards a go, but I really only make about $500 or so a year, is that too small of a number? Will I need a separate log-in for that, or does it show up on my personal chase account? Is the only difference between the CIC and CIU the rewards categories or are there any other pros/cons to them? Thank you so much for all the advice!

the CIU earns 1.5x on all purchases, most of us apply for the CIC to earn the 5x on office supply stores…I buy gift cards at Staples, then use for regular spend.

You would have to create a chase business log in once you get the card, but then can combine your business and personal log ins.

For the application you’d apply as a sole proprietor using just your first and last name and your SS number as the EIN…the application asks for business income as well as household income so you could put $500 or more for business income….but since you applied for a Chase card last month I’d wait until at lease June before applying. Recommend time between Chase applications is 90 days

 

[DisMommaBear]

the CIU earns 1.5x on all purchases, most of us apply for the CIC to earn the 5x on office supply stores…I buy gift cards at Staples, then use for regular spend.

You would have to create a chase business log in once you get the card, but then can combine your business and personal log ins.

For the application you’d apply as a sole proprietor using just your first and last name and your SS number as the EIN…the application asks for business income as well as household income so you could put $500 or more for business income….but since you applied for a Chase card last month I’d wait until at lease June before applying. Recommend time between Chase applications is 90 days

Perfect - thank you!

 

[wanderlust7]

Does anyone know if the US Bank Platinum Rewards Visa a good card to use for anything? It started out as a Gymboree Store Visa, which we first got in 2006. A few years ago it was automatically changed to the Platinum Rewards Visa. It’s been sitting in the drawer and we never even activated it so I’m not sure if it has any good benefits or if we should just leave it in the drawer. It has a 10k limit on it and no annual fee

I see 0% APR for 18 months, but I don't know if that's only for new accounts.

If the card does nothing for you, maybe you want to product change to something else. I have the Cash+ from my pre-churning days. It has 5% cashback categories you can choose every quarter that has included utilities for several years now (could change at any time though). It's one of the few things I don't put on a MSR card. SUB is low, so not a card I would choose to use a 5/24 slot on.

 

[Arcades]

I see 0% APR for 18 months, but I don't know if that's only for new accounts.

The 0% APR is an introductory offer only. US Bank has also changed their policies and no longer allows credit limit transfers between cards, so unused cards are largely pointless with them. I generally close any USB card I'm not using as they factor in existing credit when providing a credit limit on new applications. Their Triple Cash/Business Connect/Leverage cards are all decent offers for the spend if you're tapped on Amex/Chase biz applications and they have become more lax in approvals (no longer rejecting for inquiries as harshly as they used to).

@disneylover81

 

[djmeredith]

I have Delta as my selected airline on my AmEX Plat for the $200 annual credit. I used some of it when I booked our tix. I am thinking about upgrading our flight tomorrow, but the fine print says not valid on upgrades. Does anyone know if it actually codes as upgrade and is ineligible? (I've used the SW work around and I am wondering if something similar occurs with this.)

 

[Haley R]

I started learning German on Duolingo for our trip and it’s much easier than Japanese

 

[AmyAnne]

I think I am officially an AA lounge convert. I finally added the AA app to my phone and discovered that I somehow have (had) a one-day pass to the Admirals Club. Since the pass was going to expire in a few weeks I decided to use it today even though I have a pretty short layover. At the checkin desk, I was told that they weren't accepting people with passes because they are at capacity. I asked if there was any way to get the pass extended and the nice lady said something like we want you to experience the lounge and let me in. Well, AA's concept of capacity is nothing like the Centurion Lounge or United--I would guess half of the seats are empty. This is the kind of lounge experience I would actually pay for. I should also add that the food choices do not look stellar--one chicken dish, one soup choice, a half-dozen snack-ish things. But I'm happy with a Diet Coke, a brownie, an orange, a nice bathroom, lots of outlets, WifFi, and maybe most important, not oppressively crowded.

 

[lsutigers03]

I have Delta as my selected airline on my AmEX Plat for the $200 annual credit. I used some of it when I booked our tix. I am thinking about upgrading our flight tomorrow, but the fine print says not valid on upgrades. Does anyone know if it actually codes as upgrade and is ineligible? (I've used the SW work around and I am wondering if something similar occurs with this.)

I think it depends on the airline as to what works. I upgraded AA flights last year and the credit posted. I don't see a Delta upgrade DP in the link below but that is what I look at before taking a chance on something that might not work.

https://frequentmiler.com/amex-airline-fee-reimbursements-still-works/

 

[IFlossU]

But I'm happy with a Diet Coke, a brownie, an orange, a nice bathroom

Read your post and just this one phrase makes me feel like I’m not alone in the world. In fact, this is what I would like for Mother’s Day.

Sincerely though, it sounds like a great experience. There’s an AA lounge in PHX that I see often, you’ve given me something to consider.

 

[afan]

I have Delta as my selected airline on my AmEX Plat for the $200 annual credit. I used some of it when I booked our tix. I am thinking about upgrading our flight tomorrow, but the fine print says not valid on upgrades. Does anyone know if it actually codes as upgrade and is ineligible? (I've used the SW work around and I am wondering if something similar occurs with this.)

Flyertalk is the best place to find current dps of what works/how to use it.

 

[reliev]

Just received also but just on 1 card. Kind of surprised these cruise offers are coming up. Going to forums
ships are packed and some are oversold. Wonder if there will be a "softening" of bookings for next year.

I know my inlaw's ( who cruise 4/5 times a year) have been complaining nonstop the last few months about declining quality and cutbacks across all lines.

my parents were on the princess cruise that they made the Netflix documentary over, they said they would never cruise again but they just came back from a 5+ month princess cruise and sometimes they complain and say they will never go again then do it all over again.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Read your post and just this one phrase makes me feel like I’m not alone in the world. In fact, this is what I would like for Mother’s Day.

Sincerely though, it sounds like a great experience. There’s an AA lounge in PHX that I see often, you’ve given me something to consider.

I might go with just a brownie even. Instead I am getting a 3 day soccer tournament complete with rain tonight.
On the upside, tomorrow's game is 0900 which allowed us to make a dinner res for our anniversary at a restaurant with Brooke Williamson as guest chef (former Top Chef winner if anyone watches. ).

 

[tink1970]

I have Delta as my selected airline on my AmEX Plat for the $200 annual credit. I used some of it when I booked our tix. I am thinking about upgrading our flight tomorrow, but the fine print says not valid on upgrades. Does anyone know if it actually codes as upgrade and is ineligible? (I've used the SW work around and I am wondering if something similar occurs with this.)

it will not (I tried once and was not reimbursed)
signed, a delta diamond

 

[tink1970]

If I use MR to book the Swan through the Amex travel portal (2 nights), does that qualify for the $200 Hotel Collection plat credit even though I’ve paid nothing for the room? I’m trying to search for answers on this but having trouble finding anything definitive. Looks like you can’t get late check out? If anyone has a link that explains which benefits work and which don’t, I’d be grateful.

Basically MRs are cash as mentioned above but the only thing you really get is the $100 which is good because it knocks out the pesky resort fee! I stayed in the one week in April that was a "low" period and was upgraded to the Presidential Suite so while I wouldn't expect it, they do also honor the upgrade if available (note-I AM a titanium elite so I'm sure that PLUS booking on cash/cash equivalent PLUS it being a low period had something to do with it) but still, I came out of there paying very little for a very nice stay.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Well I had a trip booked to NC to escape my life as I can never seem to catch a break. But when I stopped to think about it, my son was supposed to be leaving for DC on Thursday morning at 5am, and I was getting back Thurs at like 12:30am! So I decided to cancel. I was sad, but the BF and I decided we'll do a day trip to AC to get all of the casino matches. Then Jimmy announced that he's going to be doing a show in CHS next weekend. So not going to NC wasn't as bad....I'm trading NC for AC and SC and JIMMY! But then (because I never get a break), I get a call today that my son got suspended. And this means no DC trip. This also means I'm out $1300! I booked the trip using my CSR, but it doesn't cover your child making a stupid mistake and getting suspended! I passed on the coverage through the tour company (but I think I signed a waiver that stated if he was to get suspend, I waive all refunds). So it looks like any and all money he makes this summer will go to paying us back. I do wonder if there is a way to get the airline credit. He was flying on Delta and AA. I'm not sure since it was booked through a tour company, but I would think he's still a ticketed passenger.

In CC news, I'm excited to see the Hilton offers. I just sent my BF a referral link so we can earn a FNC for Mexico. I think I'll have him do the Hilton Honors since he's not a huge fan of annual fees. And 70k is almost enough for the free night in Mexico.

I wish I knew -- good luck. Just curious, I know you didn't originally see any award seats for your trip dates, did they just finally pop up or did you switch your travel dates?

Originally there was nothing, I think. I'm sure I checked PHL, but maybe I didn't. I'm using the same dates.

Elevated Hilton offers that includes a free night on the no fee, Surpass, and biz. DoC link goes to all offers. Doesn't seem available via support.

Approved for the Surpass even though I've gotten pop-up on it before.

I'm sooooo excited for this offer again!

Thanks for the tip. Torn between the no fee and the Surpass, but could consider one of each, maybe.

For those who have multiple Aspires, is the Surpass the route to get upgrade offers to the Aspire? Anyone have the no fee and get an upgrade offer to the Aspire?

I've had the honor since March 2022 and no upgrade offers. I've had the Surpass since 2018 and no upgrade offers. I plan on holding both and hope someday I'll get an upgrade offer. Both cards get spends. I spend $15k on the surpass to get the FNC each year too.

I have seen mentioned earlier that you could add a child on to your credit card as an authorized user to build their credit - how does that work? Does the child have to use the card and spend a regular amount of money? My daughter is in college, but has very little personal expenses. She has a debit card that she is comfortable with, but no credit cards.

I added my daughter and son. When my daughter turned 18 (in March) her score was already like 750! I do let both my kids use their cards here and there. Now that my daughter is 18, I've talked about having her get her own card. Maybe I'll see if she can get the hilton offer, LOL.

 

[iujen94]

I might go with just a brownie even. Instead I am getting a 3 day soccer tournament complete with rain tonight.
On the upside, tomorrow's game is 0900 which allowed us to make a dinner res for our anniversary at a restaurant with Brooke Williamson as guest chef (former Top Chef winner if anyone watches. ).

I love Top Chef and Brooke was awesome! So cool!!