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. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    Also for the thread: personal cards are always 30 on chase
     
  2. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    Just to clarify, when you say "billed", do you mean when the AF posts to account or the statement close date that includes the AF?
     
  3. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    Former

    And always play it safe if you can on it
     
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  4. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    Any clue if Chase will honor referral bonuses on cards that are subsequently downgraded? Like if I downgrade my CIP1 after I get approved for CIP2, will my CIP1 referral bonus show up if I downgrade during the 6-8 week period Chase has to honor refer all bonuses?
     
  5. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    They have. They haven't. They've recently warned frequent offenders to stop or they'd regret it

    I've done it on personal maybe eight times and I'm 8 for 8
     
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  6. Russellin4885

    Russellin4885 Well-Known Member
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    North Carolina State Wolfpack

    So I have started helping my dad with 3 different businesses. They are basically 3 different companies for real estate holdings so not a whole lot of money could be put on the cards, maybe like $20,000 - $30,000 a year. Only one business even has a card though and they all 3 have incredible credit. Would love some starter advice on how to use these all to our advantage. This might be relevant too but he's starting to plan a surprise Hawaii trip for my mom. I have loosely followed this thread and read some things on thepointsguy but it's always kind of overwhelmed me to try and figure it all out.
     
  7. Uncle Tupelo

    Uncle Tupelo Well-Known Member
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    How often would you want to apply for new cards?
     
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  8. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    I put that on my card and I just flew first class to Hawaii with my girlfriend and stayed in five star resorts and only paid fees

    When you have an idea of how aggressive you and he want to be let us know
     
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  9. Russellin4885

    Russellin4885 Well-Known Member
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    North Carolina State Wolfpack

    I would say somewhat aggressive (only thing is I don't have any real experience gaming CC so don't want to fuck myself). I can't really think of any reasons not to be currently. Any other real estate stuff we do will most likely be with us opening a new LLC anyway.
     
  10. texasraider

    texasraider thanks
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    View from the penthouse suite in Luzern, Switzerland paid for with Marriott Points (paid for junior suite but got the Platinum upgrade)
     

    Attached Files:

    #10510 texasraider, May 23, 2019
    Last edited: May 23, 2019
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  11. texasraider

    texasraider thanks
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    View from the presidential suite at Sacher Salzburg in Salzburg paid for with UR Points
     

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  12. texasraider

    texasraider thanks
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    Picture doesn’t do it justice but from the Charles Hotel suite in Munich paid for with straight cash homie
     

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  13. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    We will help you. Ask lots of questions if you are worried, we've heard dumber

    My plan for you, only suggestions:

    Start with Chase since they're the toughest

    Chase Ink Preferred to start (my referral:
    https://www.referyourchasecard.com/21/99MWSAT9J1)

    Then self refer your business to more Ink cards of other flavors. Combine points. Add in personal cards like the sapphire reserve or preferred. Reassess
     
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  14. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    If flying southwest is convenient, I would throw in a couple SW cards to get the companion pass.
     
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  15. Russellin4885

    Russellin4885 Well-Known Member
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    North Carolina State Wolfpack

    He’s retiring in January so That’s a good idea for January next year
     
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  16. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    It gives the best value if you get it at the beginning of the calendar year. I would recommend monitoring signup bonus in Oct/Nov/Dec. Catching them while they're at 50/60k makes it a lot easier, just don't meet the minimum spending requirement before 1/1/20
     
  17. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
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    San Diego State AztecsSan Diego Padres

    Self refer on Amex? Nay, correct?
     
  18. Russellin4885

    Russellin4885 Well-Known Member
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    North Carolina State Wolfpack

    So how long before applying for another chase product. So once I get an ink card for company A, how long before waiting to apply for the preserve or reserve for that same company? Also, aren’t there strategies to get one then downgrade and get another and you can do referrals for those as well? Like I said, I’ve loosely followed but always gotten a little confused. Appreciate all the help!
     
  19. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    It has worked for me as recently as January. I'm sure it still works.
     
  20. Uncle Tupelo

    Uncle Tupelo Well-Known Member
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    2-3 months per SSN/Company with Chase to be safe. With ink cards, you can product change to any other card in the ink family, so the preffered could be downgraded after a year. You can hold multiple ink cards for a business.
     
  21. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
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    Alabama Crimson TideReal Madrid

    Referred my wife to CIP and she applied, got the generic "We'll let you know as soon as possible".

    Does this bode poorly? When do we call recon line? Didn't see this specific message in the flowchart.
     
  22. comrade static

    comrade static i love french fries
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    Oklahoma City ThunderPhiladelphia EaglesOklahoma SoonersBarAndGrillBig 8 Conference

    How many chase points would a guy like me and his wife need to take that trip
     
  23. Zebbie

    Zebbie Hey Mike, guess what I have in my underwear?
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    They usually do that - I don’t think I’ve ever gotten an auto approval on a Chase biz card
     
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  24. NoNatty

    NoNatty Keyboard Cowboy
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    that’s what I got. Called the next day and was approved.
     
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  25. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    Couldn't do my exact trip but a comparable trip would be:

    145,000 transferred to United for two rt flights with one leg in first

    245,000 transferred to Hyatt for eight nights at the Andaz Maui and three at the Hyatt Centric Waikiki

    10,000 through the portal for flights between the islands

    So almost exactly 400,000
     
  26. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    comrade static this was my actual trip

    2 IND-OGG and HNL-IND 135,000 AA - worth $4500ish (return first class)
    2 OGG-HNL - 15,000 AA - worth $200ish

    Hotels:
    8 nights in Wailea Beach Resort Maui (7 night/flight package+50k one-night cert) - worth $4400ish usually - resort fees here are the bulk of my expenses
    2 nights in the Hyatt Centric Waikiki beach - worth $550ish (30,000 pts+15k one night cert)
     
    #10526 ohhaithur, May 23, 2019
    Last edited: May 23, 2019
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  27. Zebbie

    Zebbie Hey Mike, guess what I have in my underwear?
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    Is the Wailea Beach Resort the Marriott one? How was it?
     
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  28. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    Correct. I liked it a lot. Great location and updated hotel. I'm not a fan of how expensive a "free" stay is there but if you go in knowing drinks are $18 you'll be fine

    We got a handle and a room next to the pool and just made our own drinks. Saved easily $500
     
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  29. Zebbie

    Zebbie Hey Mike, guess what I have in my underwear?
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    Oh yeah, I know all about that - stayed at the Grand Wailea next door about 5-6 years ago. Once I figured out what kind of beer they had in cans at the pool bar, we went to the store & bought about a case of it & an insulated bag & would take 3-4 out there at a time & just go refill it.
     
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  30. comrade static

    comrade static i love french fries
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    Oklahoma City ThunderPhiladelphia EaglesOklahoma SoonersBarAndGrillBig 8 Conference

    Oh boy. I think I’ll be at 400k by the end of the year. Might have to seriously look into this. Thanks.
     
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  31. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    I hear those two and Andaz are all comparable
     
  32. 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

    Good to know in case I go back out there anytime soon
     
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  33. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    a
     
    #10533 ohhaithur, May 23, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2020
  34. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    How long did you wait to self refer to CIP2??

    Same SSN or new EIN?
     
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  35. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    Haven't actually done it yet, but it's been 12 months since I got the first CIP. And I intend to use an EIN for CIP2 (SSN for the first) based on ohhaithur advice
     
  36. Where Eagles Dare

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

    Damn I was hoping to get CIP2 faster than that.
     
  37. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    You can do it faster. I haven't done the two CIP stuff so don't take my word as gospel but you should be able to self refer at three months
     
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  38. 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

    I went 3 or 4 months between CIP 1 and 2
     
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  39. Where Eagles Dare

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

    Aight.
     
  40. hawkeyeOUTeast

    hawkeyeOUTeast Well-Known Member
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    Iowa HawkeyesChicago CubsCarolina PanthersKansas City ChiefsCarolina HurricanesPGABig Ten Conference

    We just waited about 5 weeks before referring ourselves for CIP2 and had no issues.

    Also, since I know this topic comes up often, we opened 4 new cards between pre-approval for a mortgage and when we closed on Tuesday (6 months in total), and no one asked asked about it one time.
     
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  41. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
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    Why would you risk that
     
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  42. Where Eagles Dare

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

    Nice.

    I might do it again in a few weeks. That'll be 8 wks.

    I guess the only thing they can say I no, right? You use all the same info?
     
  43. NoNatty

    NoNatty Keyboard Cowboy
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    I’m glad it still worked out for you, but this is really bad advice for most people.
     
  44. hawkeyeOUTeast

    hawkeyeOUTeast Well-Known Member
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    Iowa HawkeyesChicago CubsCarolina PanthersKansas City ChiefsCarolina HurricanesPGABig Ten Conference

    Both scores went up during that time, I didn’t see any risk. My score has gone up significantly since churning and I think disciplined credit use helps your credit worthiness instead of hurting it.
     
  45. hawkeyeOUTeast

    hawkeyeOUTeast Well-Known Member
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    Iowa HawkeyesChicago CubsCarolina PanthersKansas City ChiefsCarolina HurricanesPGABig Ten Conference

    Added a middle name on the second CIP but same SS.
     
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  46. NoNatty

    NoNatty Keyboard Cowboy
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    Oregon DucksPortland Trail BlazersSan Francisco 49'ersManchester UnitedPortland Timbers

    your score isn’t the reason they tell you not to do it. Regardless, being under contract and then having it fall apart because you wanted a bonus seems like an odd risk to take.
     
  47. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
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    Florida State Seminoles

    Equifax dropped by 43pts :donotwant:

    ...on account of Chase name-changing?

    EAADE339-7FE9-4DF5-A9CF-480FCFA1CD22.jpeg
     
  48. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    I’m showing all those name changes as well, but they aren’t showing as derogatory marks in any way for me? Even says in notes it shouldn’t affect score
     
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  49. gordon bombay

    gordon bombay magician's alliance enthusiast
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    Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsAtlanta BravesAtlanta HawksAtlanta Falcons

    Saw where Amex Platinum just cut the Priority Pass restaurant credit feature, hope Chase doesn't follow suit
     
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  50. Todd Bonzales

    Todd Bonzales Sex with old ladies for money aaaand bear traps.
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    The fuck? That sucks.