Credit Card Thread - Now with a Beginner's Guide to free travel/FAQ

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by blind dog, Apr 10, 2015.

  1. WC

    WC Bad Company, ‘til the day I die.
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    We’re like a referral centipede
     
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  2. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    I just booked a preemptive booking on Marriott and I would suggest you do too if you have points. Just in case.

    The 5th night free/points advance combo seems like a real killer. Now you need to have enough points for all five nights and get refunded later. That'll cost a lot of people
     
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  3. colonel_forbin

    colonel_forbin Well-Known Member
    Donor

    OK so I have the Business Ink Preferred for one business (a sole proprietorship), and I'm about to refer myself for another business (an LLC). I use the LLC's tax ID number and all that, correct?
     
  4. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
    Donor
    Auburn TigersAtlanta BravesWashington Football TeamAtlanta United

    You cna use the exact same info as the first. I've done it recently as many others ITT.

    If you do have a legit llc then sure
     
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  5. Fuzzy Zoeller

    Fuzzy Zoeller College football > NFL
    Donor

    Hello.

    The wife and I want to take a trip next summer, and also we may or may not be taking the family (three kids) on a big family trip to Idaho next summer. I would like to pay as little as possible for these flights. I have an application for the Barclays AAdvantage card (60,000 miles, $99 fee) but I have no idea what I'm doing here. Guide me.

    Oh, my daily card is the Capital One Venture, where we've built up ~250K points (how those translate to miles is foreign to me) but we're saving those for a Disney trip at a TBD date.
     
  6. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    The OP has the most aggressive way to start out getting points points.

    If you want to me more cautious: what's your home airport and where's your big trip? We can figure out how to do it on as few cards as possible
     
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  7. Fuzzy Zoeller

    Fuzzy Zoeller College football > NFL
    Donor

    Home airport is DFW. Wife and I will be going to Chicago. The big trip would be to Boise.
     
  8. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    I think you're in Houston, if so, do the SW double dip in Dec/Jan for the companion pass, that's probably the most bang for your buck. (also works for DFW)

    Then explore Chase Ink cards if business cards are something you're comfortable with. That's the best avenue for Chase UR points. The CIP turns each point into 1.25¢, if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, it turns to 1.5 ¢. You can buy flights directly through chase or transfer to SW, United and a few other airlines.

    Checking IHG, they have a ton of hotels in Idaho. The new 125k offer should be good for 5-6 nights worth of rooms if you don't already have plans for where you want to stay.
     
  9. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    If direct flights between DFW and BOI are something you prefer, looks like American Airlines is your only option. I believe that's one of the easier programs to acquire points thru CC apps
     
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  10. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    SW has a bunch of nonstop flights between Dallas Love and Midway, perfect use of the companion pass
     
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  11. Fuzzy Zoeller

    Fuzzy Zoeller College football > NFL
    Donor

    I guess my question is, is there a list of CCs out there that would allow me to buy 7 round trip tickets using only sign up bonuses. I know the AA card offers 60k miles (2 RTs) as a sign up bonus.
     
  12. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    I would recommend:
    1. Search for desired flights
    2. Confirm reward availability for those flights and determine how many pts you'll need
    3. Find CCs that either are co-branded for that airline or can transfer to that airline
    4. Find CCs that give you pts that can be used as cash (like Chase UR or Cap 1 venture)
     
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  13. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    You can't book summer 2020 flights through SW yet, but you'd need about 50k SW points for 2 free RT flights between Dallas Love and Chicago Midway. 25k if you have the Companion pass
     
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  14. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    I mean you can get any flight for free with points, it's just how. If you wanted seven round trip I would go:

    • Chase Ink Preferred (80,000 UR = $1200 in free flights)
    • Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve double dip (100,000 UR = $1500 in free flights)
    • Refer your wife to CIP (100,000 UR = $1500 in free flights)
    • Refer your wife to CSP/CSR double dip (110,000 UR = $1650 in free flights)
    So that's a little under $200 in AF, six cards, $5850 off your flights. If the flights are $835 each or less they're free
     
  15. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    How are you getting around 200 in annual fees?

    Each CIP is 95
    Each CSR is 450 (equivalent of 150 after 300 travel credit)
    Each CSP is 95

    All 6 would be $1280 in fees, with 600 coming back in reimbursements
     
  16. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    CSP first year fee is waived.

    For the rest I just took into account the value he'd surely end up getting by insuring the trip, lounge for the whole fam, etc... His outlay would be $500ish, sure
     
  17. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Not anymore. It's now a 60k offer with no waived AF (which is better overall but does require some extra cash)
     
  18. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
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    Penn State Nittany LionsGreen Bay PackersChelseaHartford WhalersPhoenix Rising

    If you can’t come up with $95 to cover that easily credit cards may not be right for you.
     
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  19. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    OK well then he gets 20,000 more UR than I thought for $190 more than I thought. So he can cash out his 20,000 UR for $200 and he ends up $10 better off than my original post. Works out even better
     
  20. Spontaneous Cumbustion

    Spontaneous Cumbustion Well-Known Member
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    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCincinnati BengalsXavier MusketeersFC CincinnatiTottenham HotspurUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    Just hit the spend on my second business card. Haven’t gotten any maulers even though I signed my cat up for an aa account months ago :(
     
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  21. Baby Boy

    Baby Boy Well-Known Member
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    Clemson TigersAtlanta BravesCarolina Panthers

    I'm refinancing my house. I also want to get another card to work towards points. I may jump on this Hilton Surpass offer currently. I'll either do that or a second CIP. Just been trying to wait until I know we'll spend a lot over the next 3 months or so. Does refinancing my house have any effect on me getting approved for the Hilton Surpass or CIP? Locked in my refi rate yesterday so is it ok/advised I go ahead and try to get one of these cards now?
     
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  22. Fuzzy Zoeller

    Fuzzy Zoeller College football > NFL
    Donor

    What is UR?
     
  23. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
    Donor
    Penn State Nittany LionsGreen Bay PackersChelseaHartford WhalersPhoenix Rising

    Ultimate Rewards, Chase points.
     
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  24. Baby Boy

    Baby Boy Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersAtlanta BravesCarolina Panthers

    Any advice?
     
  25. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Refinancing should have no impact on your ability to get a new card.

    And I would recommend not applying for any new cards until everything is done with your refi. Locking in your rate is good but that doesn't guarantee that no other complications will arise.
     
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  26. Todd Bonzales

    Todd Bonzales Sex with old ladies for money aaaand bear traps.
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    Ohio State BuckeyesCleveland BrownsUSA RugbyTiger WoodsOhio BobcatsCleveland CavaliersCleveland IndiansOlympics

    Prioritize that refi first and get through that before any card activity, Buzz ard
     
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  27. Baby Boy

    Baby Boy Well-Known Member
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    Clemson TigersAtlanta BravesCarolina Panthers

    So I need to see the refi through closing before I get the card? That's what I'm trying to ask. I've already locked in my rate. Is that enough or do I need to just wait til mid Sept... At which point the offer will be gone for the Hilton.
     
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  28. Todd Bonzales

    Todd Bonzales Sex with old ladies for money aaaand bear traps.
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    Ohio State BuckeyesCleveland BrownsUSA RugbyTiger WoodsOhio BobcatsCleveland CavaliersCleveland IndiansOlympics

    I would let your loan close and then get that second CIP.
     
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  29. LSU90

    LSU90 Well-Known Member

    Not sure how much this has been discussed but it was something I had a difficult time finding information on before going through the process

    For those who churn and are looking at getting a mortgage here is how my process just went. I get a new card about every 2 months between my wife and I. We each have 4 CIP's as well as some other Chase cards. Credit scores are 800. The most recent card I opened before preapproval was about a month before. I was never questioned about the abundance of cards I had nor was I asked to present any extra information regarding balances or any of that beyond just the account showing up on my credit report.

    With that said my advice would be, if you have a great credit score and don't manufacturer spend to where you are getting a new card every month or quicker then you should be fine. Do not open a new card during the process or within a couple weeks of the process.
     
  30. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    Texas LonghornsManchester United

    Fuzzy Zoeller

    Good advice has been given so far ITT. Max out earning with your existing cards (sounds like you've mostly done this) and quasi churn via switching to the next easiest currency: Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
     
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  31. Fuzzy Zoeller

    Fuzzy Zoeller College football > NFL
    Donor

    We'll talk offline.
     
  32. Uncle Tupelo

    Uncle Tupelo Well-Known Member
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    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCleveland Browns

    Do you have any other Chase Biz cards other than the CIPs? We each have 3 CIPs, but I also have a CIC, and have heard that 4 is pretty much the limit Chase will give you.
     
  33. Zebbie

    Zebbie Hey Mike, guess what I have in my underwear?
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    Texas Tech Red RaidersTexas RangersChicago CubsDallas StarsTexas Tech Red Raiders alt

    4 CIPs or 4 biz cards?
     
  34. blotter

    blotter Aristocratic Bum
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    Florida State Seminoles

    assuming I should have chase cancel the transaction?
    from their website:

    Why did Global Blue debit my credit card?中文版/ Русская версия
    You have made purchase abroad and you have applied for an early refund service. After receiving your refund amount in advance (prior to sending the validated and fully completed Tax Free Form to Global Blue), Global Blue reserves the right to debit your credit card, if one or more of the below conditions of early refund service are not fulfilled:
     
  35. Uncle Tupelo

    Uncle Tupelo Well-Known Member
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    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCleveland Browns

    I've heard 4 or 5 business cards is the limit chase will give you at one time. I'm just (probably irrationally) afraid of a chase shutdown if I try to push my luck with more CIPS
     
  36. MA

    MA Surprisingly normal looking
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    Alabama Crimson TideSan Antonio SpursWashington CapitalsManchester UnitedAtlanta United

    I forget, if I got the Aspire + bonus in December am I unable to get the bonus with the Surpass right now?
     
  37. Todd Bonzales

    Todd Bonzales Sex with old ladies for money aaaand bear traps.
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    I believe it’s once every seven years. ohhaithur

    But juuuuuust in case any a youse wanna get that Surpass by the 28th...

    http://refer.amex.us/MICHAPG5kr?XL=MIMCP
     
  38. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    I got both. You can self refer too (sorry marcus)
     
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  39. LSU90

    LSU90 Well-Known Member

    I have 4 CIP'S, 1 CIC and 1 Chase United Biz for one person.
     
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  40. LSU90

    LSU90 Well-Known Member

    As far as I know and have read they stopped shutdowna about a year ago.
     
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  41. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    I got the CSR in October 2016 and downgraded it to the Freedom Unlimited in December 2018.

    Been missing the lounge life my last few trips and realized I don’t have a free foreign transaction fee card for my upcoming trip.

    Can I dip back into CSR? What other cards provide lounge access and no foreign transaction fees?
     
  42. Nelson

    Nelson Can somebody please get Ja Rhule on the phone
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    Nebraska CornhuskersDenver NuggetsDenver BroncosColorado AvalanceBorussia DortmundManchester UnitedColorado State Rams

    Amex platinum
     
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  43. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    You can't get the CSR bonus for 13 months but you can upgrade.

    Amex has priority pass as noted above but they removed restaurant priority pass access fyi
     
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  44. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    Auburn TigersAtlanta BravesWashington Football TeamAtlanta United

    So what should I do next?

    I should be below any 24 month limit.

    Have CSP. CIP1 and 2. Delta Amex.

    Wife has nothing.

    Seems like the obvious answer should be to double dip with her for CSP/CSR... Right? The double dip still kinda happens??
     
  45. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    I actually never use the restaurant access, so this may be the move. Thanks.
     
  46. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    Use a referral if you're going amex

    Even if it's not mine

    Use card match to see if you get the 100k offer first
     
  47. Uncle Tupelo

    Uncle Tupelo Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCleveland Browns

    Either do the modified CSR/CSP double dip, get CIP 1 for for wife, or CIP 2 for yourself. Refer from Your current CIP for the extra points.

    I'd lean towards the double dip because we don't know if/when chase will close that loophole.
     
  48. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
    Donor
    Auburn TigersAtlanta BravesWashington Football TeamAtlanta United

    I just finished my second CIP2 so need to wait a minute before I get my 3rd.

    Wife isn't keen on CIP bc it is lying.
     
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  49. Uncle Tupelo

    Uncle Tupelo Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCleveland Browns

    Ah, then yeah I would go ahead and do the double dip. You could also check card match for the 100k platinum amex offer. I guess they have targeted a bunch of new people.
     
  50. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    It's possible the Aspire is up your alley more than the Platinum. It was for me

    No foreign transaction fee and comes with the priority pass. If you stay at hilton anyway a much lower AF

    My referral if you want: https://tinyurl.com/Ohhaspire