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. blind dog

    blind dog wps
    Donor
    Arkansas RazorbacksGreen Bay PackersWu-tangCoors Light

    Churning 101 by ohhaithur

     
    #1 blind dog, Apr 10, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 28, 2018
  2. Marty Kaan

    Marty Kaan By any means necessary
    Donor

    so you get 2% back as you pay off the purchases?
     
  3. It'sAlwaysSunnyInAthens

    It'sAlwaysSunnyInAthens Well-Known Member
    Donor

    Just got a American express blue cash preferred. 6% cash back at grocery stores up to a certain amount for the year. 3% back at department stores and gas stations.
     
  4. blind dog

    blind dog wps
    Donor
    Arkansas RazorbacksGreen Bay PackersWu-tangCoors Light

    Yes, and I haven't carried a balance in years so this should be perfect for me. No limits and don't have to worry about categories
     
  5. Beachy Toast

    Beachy Toast He wants you too, Malachi.
    Donor
    Chicago White SoxChicago BearsChicago BlackhawksKansas State WildcatsMontreal Impact

    Got my Sapphire Preferred bonus on Wed. $4k in a month.
     
  6. J.R. Bob Dobbs

    J.R. Bob Dobbs Fan of: Firing Coaches, Cutting Players

    they rejected my sapphire preferred application.

    just recently got the chase amazon card to get the signup bonus while ordering a mattress
     
  7. Beachy Toast

    Beachy Toast He wants you too, Malachi.
    Donor
    Chicago White SoxChicago BearsChicago BlackhawksKansas State WildcatsMontreal Impact

    what reason did they give?
     
  8. J.R. Bob Dobbs

    J.R. Bob Dobbs Fan of: Firing Coaches, Cutting Players

    insufficient income and credit history
     
  9. pearl

    pearl Fan of: White wimmens feet
    Donor TMB OG
    Southern Mississippi Golden EaglesLos Angeles ChargersAvengersSneakers

    Discover It card for me
     
  10. Beachy Toast

    Beachy Toast He wants you too, Malachi.
    Donor
    Chicago White SoxChicago BearsChicago BlackhawksKansas State WildcatsMontreal Impact

    Credit history in general or with chase?

    They gave me 4 since July.
     
  11. J.R. Bob Dobbs

    J.R. Bob Dobbs Fan of: Firing Coaches, Cutting Players

    in general.
     
  12. Señor Cockblock

    Señor Cockblock Eastside to the westside
    South Carolina GamecocksManchester UnitedEngland

    Just got this too. Using it for groceries, but staying with BoA Cash Rewards for gas, because I get a 25% bonus for transferring rewards to my checking account. Going to net $435 in the first year from $6,000 on the preferred card.
     
  13. It'sAlwaysSunnyInAthens

    It'sAlwaysSunnyInAthens Well-Known Member
    Donor

    So I tried to get a BOA cash rewards card the other day to do the same. They told me my card wasn't eligible for another upgrade. (they randomly upped my credit limit a month ago without me asking.)

    They told me I could just reapply and get the new card/close my old one. I didn't want to do that because I've had this card for like ten years.
     
  14. Señor Cockblock

    Señor Cockblock Eastside to the westside
    South Carolina GamecocksManchester UnitedEngland

    The bonus spend (2 and 3% categories) is capped at $1,500 per quarter, so if you're only using it for these categories, you don't need a large limit. You could try applying for the card online without the intention of closing the old one. I have a 11 year old non rewards with BoA and a Cash Rewards too, so getting a new one shouldn't be contingent on closing the old.
     
  15. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother I’d rather be down the allotment
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

    wife and I both got the barclays us air card before it went away and both got the citi AA card. now that AA and USAir are merged we have 200k AAdvantage miles :cool:
     
  16. Beachy Toast

    Beachy Toast He wants you too, Malachi.
    Donor
    Chicago White SoxChicago BearsChicago BlackhawksKansas State WildcatsMontreal Impact

    churning is fun, isnt it?
     
  17. Señor Cockblock

    Señor Cockblock Eastside to the westside
    South Carolina GamecocksManchester UnitedEngland

    :jizz:

    My bro is the managing parter of a small business and gets all the rewards from their $100K per month AMEX spend. He has so many points that Mrs. Block and I get free flights and hotel rooms during the year, which is the fucking tits.
     
    goose and High Cotton like this.
  18. hudson

    hudson Oh, you know...stuff.
    Donor TMB OG
    Nebraska CornhuskersAtlanta BravesTampa Bay BuccaneersPittsburgh PenguinsFulham

    So. I've never had a credit card before. i've had a visa check card through my back for the past idk 10 years or so. what should I look into getting.

    Pretty much I'm just going to put groceries and gas on it every month and then just pay it off every month.
     
  19. Poetic

    Poetic This ain't water.
    Donor
    Florida State Seminoles

    Recently paid off my Amazon Chase and Capital One I've had since I was 17 and hid them away. Only using a Discover It card now.
     
    pearl likes this.
  20. pearl

    pearl Fan of: White wimmens feet
    Donor TMB OG
    Southern Mississippi Golden EaglesLos Angeles ChargersAvengersSneakers

    http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/top-credit-cards/nerdwallets-top-10-credit-cards/

    I personally prefer the Discover It card
     
  21. Señor Cockblock

    Señor Cockblock Eastside to the westside
    South Carolina GamecocksManchester UnitedEngland

    Look at the Blue Preferred and the BankAmericard Cash rewards for grocery and gas. Blue is annual cash statement credit, BoA is anytime true cash above $25. No category rotation or changes, just limits on the category spend annually/quarterly.
     
  22. Shock Linwood

    Shock Linwood Well-Known Member
    Texas AandM Aggies alt

    I know the vogue thing to do is get a card with great reimbursement on miles but...

    This is the best card out there if you have a kiddo:

    https://www.fidelity.com/cash-management/american-express-cards

    I spend approx. $20,000/mo. so I'm hoping to provide free college for Shock Jr. based upon my normal spending habits and a couple of moderate contributions to the 529 plan. That is a tremendous gift.
     
  23. Señor Cockblock

    Señor Cockblock Eastside to the westside
    South Carolina GamecocksManchester UnitedEngland

    That is a fuck ton of monthly spend.

    [​IMG]
     
    LeVar Burton likes this.
  24. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother I’d rather be down the allotment
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

    wow yeah it is
     
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  25. The Hebrew Husker

    Donor
    Nebraska CornhuskersSeattle MarinersColorado AvalanceWWENebraska Cornhuskers alt

    I work at a bank, and we just put out an AMEX card that's like 6.25% (variable based on WSP), and 1.5% back and they're hyping the shit out of. Makes me lol when I see the sick cards you guys are talking about.
     
  26. hensleya

    hensleya I Pick Things Up and Put Them Down
    South Carolina GamecocksCarolina PanthersPGAWu-tang

    Been using AMEX blue cash preferred for a few years. Just got the Chase Sapphire Preferred with a $21k limit which surprised me and made me quite happy. Working on the bonus now. Already put about $1,600 in a couple weeks so I think we will be fine to meet the bonus requirement.
     
  27. Señor Cockblock

    Señor Cockblock Eastside to the westside
    South Carolina GamecocksManchester UnitedEngland

    A clever tip I read about the Blue Preferred. You can buy gift cards at the grocery store and get the 6%. Amazon gift cards with the grocery reward.
     
  28. Name P. Redacted

    Name P. Redacted I have no money and I'm also gay
    Donor
    Kansas State WildcatsSeattle Kraken

    peasant
     
  29. Name P. Redacted

    Name P. Redacted I have no money and I'm also gay
    Donor
    Kansas State WildcatsSeattle Kraken

    I hate the word kiddo. So much.
     
  30. Marty Kaan

    Marty Kaan By any means necessary
    Donor

    you actually believe shock?
     
  31. hensleya

    hensleya I Pick Things Up and Put Them Down
    South Carolina GamecocksCarolina PanthersPGAWu-tang

    True dat. I do it often.
     
    Señor Cockblock likes this.
  32. hensleya

    hensleya I Pick Things Up and Put Them Down
    South Carolina GamecocksCarolina PanthersPGAWu-tang

    Approved for the Chase Freedom card ($20,000 CL) just now to go with my Chase Sapphire Preferred ($21,000 CL) that i got a few weeks ago. Met the spend requirement on the Sapphire this week thanks to the purchase of wedding bands and cake. Kinda weird having $41,000 of available credit limit virtually overnight. Highest card before was Amex BCP at $6,800. Utilization at 1%.
     
    i am a bammer, High Cotton and Toast like this.
  33. I'll Give You Asthma

    I'll Give You Asthma speak hate, get a plate, eat cake...bitch
    Donor

    Just got an email from Uber that for the next year you get 20% off all rides if you pay with Capital One Quicksilver. My first rewards card was Capital One, and I upgraded to Quicksilver to get out of annual fees, then started using my new Amex in its place. Looks like I'll be activating that Quicksilver and attaching it to my Uber acct. It says you just get a statement credit in the amount of the discount within 1-2 billing cycles.
     
    Joe Withabee and High Cotton like this.
  34. Señor Cockblock

    Señor Cockblock Eastside to the westside
    South Carolina GamecocksManchester UnitedEngland

    I've just learned about the Sallie Mae MasterCard from Barclay's. 5% cash back on up to $750 bookstore spend per month.

    Amazon is coded as a bookstore. Mrs. Block and I buy most of our shit through this bookstore.

    Edit: Add up to $250 monthly gas at 5%.
     
    #34 Señor Cockblock, Apr 22, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2015
  35. Bruce Bowen

    Bruce Bowen Well-Known Member
    Donor

    Had to put a big purchase on my card, which by months end will put me at 70% usage. Going to pay off a good chunk to bring me down to 40%. Have always paid off my card in full, will this effect my credit much? I'm still in the early period with this card so no interest and will have it paid in 3 months max.
     
  36. hensleya

    hensleya I Pick Things Up and Put Them Down
    South Carolina GamecocksCarolina PanthersPGAWu-tang

    No, it won't.
     
    Bruce Bowen likes this.
  37. Bruce Bowen

    Bruce Bowen Well-Known Member
    Donor

    [​IMG]
     
    hensleya likes this.
  38. I'll Give You Asthma

    I'll Give You Asthma speak hate, get a plate, eat cake...bitch
    Donor

    Long term, no. You'll likely get dinged in the short term with such a high utilization rate (assuming you don't have a bunch of cards that would lower your average utilization rate).
     
  39. Aaron Nevilles Pet Tick

    Donor
    Clemson TigersCharlotte HornetsCarolina PanthersWashington Capitals

    Credit question: I have 3 cards. I'd like to close one because I don't use it, and I want to open a rewards driven card. How far will my credit be driven down if I do this.

    I have a 752 credit score right now.

    Thanks.
     
  40. Jimmy the Saint

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

    How old is it?
     
  41. I'll Give You Asthma

    I'll Give You Asthma speak hate, get a plate, eat cake...bitch
    Donor

    Depends on the age of the credit line and the history involved with it. If it's an old account that you utilized a lot and had a lot of good history built up, then it would be best to either upgrade that into a rewards program or shred the card and keep the account open to keep the history.
     
    DAT.ass likes this.
  42. Aaron Nevilles Pet Tick

    Donor
    Clemson TigersCharlotte HornetsCarolina PanthersWashington Capitals

    Damn, didn't realize it depended on age. I've had 2 since I was about 14, so close to 15/16 years now. The capital one they claimed they couldn't just roll it into a new card, it had to be a new application and I would have 2 credit cards with them. Chase I never really inquired.

    Do either of you have experience with this? Maybe there is something specific I need to say/ask?
     
  43. I'll Give You Asthma

    I'll Give You Asthma speak hate, get a plate, eat cake...bitch
    Donor

    No experience trying to close/upgrade an account that old, but as a last ditch effort you can try and force Capital One's hand by saying if they don't upgrade your account you'll go with another company and never use that card again (i mean your score is good enough to get you about anything you want, so they should at least try and work with you).
     
  44. Jimmy the Saint

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

    Regardless, you don't want to close that account. I have a 7 year old credit union Visa Platinum I've had since I was 18 with no rewards that sits in my extra wallet. Never closing nor utilizing that account again.
     
    jorge likes this.
  45. EMAW FC

    EMAW FC Proud Smucker
    Donor
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsFulhamSporting Kansas CitySneakers

    wat
     
    Señor Cockblock likes this.
  46. Aaron Nevilles Pet Tick

    Donor
    Clemson TigersCharlotte HornetsCarolina PanthersWashington Capitals

    My parents opened them to start my credit history off right. I didn't take them over till I was 18 and they were only used for gas or whatever.

    I know people who's parents opened them cards earlier than that.
     
    EMAW FC likes this.
  47. Jigga

    Jigga Ty Webb is a mean person
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Miami DolphinsChelseaMiami Heat

    So I know our cards are lacking vs others but just a cool feature I wanted to share. If you pay your cell phone bill with a Wells Fargo credit card and it gets broken or stolen you get up to $600 twice a year to replace the phone after a $25 deductible.

    Much cheaper than insurances
     
    TAS and High Cotton like this.
  48. two

    two Hello
    Donor TMB OG
    Game of ThronesGrateful Dead

    Was approved for a chase sapphire preferred card and switched my Bank of America card to their travel rewards card. Have a slate card and taking advantage of the 0 apr for another like 15 months
     
  49. allothersnsused

    allothersnsused Wow that’s crazy
    Donor
    Virginia CavaliersAtlanta BravesAtlanta HawksWashington Football TeamChelsea

    Thinking about switching from Delta Amex Gold to Chase Sapphire Preferred. Same annual fee, and I pay off monthly so APR doesn't matter to me. Chase gives 2x points on flights and restaurants, while Delta only gives 2x points on flights.

    Anyone made the switch? Any benefits to the Amex I'm missing that make it worth keeping? Free checked bag and priority boarding are nice, but not a make or break for me.
     
  50. allothersnsused

    allothersnsused Wow that’s crazy
    Donor
    Virginia CavaliersAtlanta BravesAtlanta HawksWashington Football TeamChelsea

    Got approved for a Sapphire Preferred. I plan to use it for almost all purchases except for Delta purchases (which I have the Delta Amex for and are a decent amount of my purchases, since I live in Atlanta) I already have a Freedom and I don't want to cancel it, since the primary knock on my credit score is lack of credit history.

    My question is - What do I do with a credit card I never plan to use but don't want to cancel. Just keep it in a filing cabinet or something?