Updated Application Results and Deal of the Day

October 11, 2011 - Rick

They never go the way you expect them to. Application day that is. Here is what’s happened so far.It took one hour to get my computer up and running this morning. It is so old that some of the keys are missing and I have so much junk on it, it is very temperamental. Once we got going things were ok but a few surprises.I started with my Chase United Explorer app as a United 1K and all went well. I got the “we are reviewing you stuff” page which I expected. I decided to add the Business version for another easy 25K but the application would not load, so I had to go to another computer and it would not load there either? Finally I Googled United Explorer Business card and got an application completed. (pending as well)The Amex Business Gold card went easy and just took a five minute phone call to verify my info. I was approved and will reveived 50,000 Membership Rewards points after completing the spend.Next I jumped over to the Citi Thank You Preferred Card and got an instant approval. Hooray for Hollywood. 50,000 Thank You pointsI then did my US Airways Debit card application for the 3000 miles and Grand Slam hit. That was a “we’ll let you know” as well? For a debit card???

Katy was next with surprising results. The Citi Premier Card pended her application as did the INK Bold card. The surprising change was that the United Explorer card no longer offered her a bigger bonus for having Premier status. She’ll have to wait and do the Explorer card in November when the increased promo comes back, we hope.

In place of the Explorer card we slipped in a Hawaiian Airlines Visa card from Bank of America for 35,000 Hawaiian miles which we will convert to 70K Hilton Honors points. It cost $79 but we had the room for the card application. It took a phone call to B of A but we got an approval on that one as well.

Total for sure haul this morning was 135,000 points putting us 5000 points or miles short of 1 MILLION for the year again. I have no doubt we’ll score that we need to reach our goal.

Deal of the Day

National Car is running a buy two weekend days, get one weekend day free!

Living Social has a great deal on a tour to Beijing. $899 per person from LAX including airfare!

The Points Guy gives you the answers to get 100 Free Southwest points on the weekly video.

If you don’t have a TripAlertz account sign up for one here! You can learn more about TripAlertz here

Simon

Interesting how you're mostly churning point cards and not mile cards. When I first got in the game, I assumed that it would be mile cards through and through, but am seeking more of the Ink Bold and Citi Thank You points being the big thing. Why is that? Is it because USAirways will pretty much only have one credit card but Amex and Chase will continue to come out with new and unique cards that allow churners to continue as "first time" applicants?

Thanks for the blog Rick!
Anonymous

I thought the two year waiting period between having the same card was for Citi, does Chase do the same?
Anonymous

REF–"Experian 917 with 17 inquiries"
CAN U SHARE HOW MANY ARE:
LESS THAN 3 MONTHS
LESS THAN 6 MONTHS
LESS THAN 1 YEAR
LESS THAN 2 YEARS
ONLY THING "I THINK I KNOW" IS THAT AFTER 2 YEARS BANKS DO NOT LOOK AT THOSE PULLS

THANKS
Anonymous

From benthelefty (I can't sign in for some reason)

Simon – As far as "points" go, the TY and Ultimate Rewards cards can be used with miles; the TY are straight $ exchange, but you can transfer w/ UR to other airlines (for 50k if you want)

Anon – The waiting is 60 days for citi, 90 for business cards; Chase does one app per 30 days.

Double check my accuracy here Rick!
gpapadop

My gut feeling is you need to lay off Chase for a while…but then again, you are the master and you know better:-) I am laying off all apps for a while and waiting for the UA card in November for now while still fighting with amex for 100k for one of them "codes";-) See you in Chicago!
Anonymous

I wanted to apply for the NEW Biz, but T&C states…Existing American Express OPEN Gold Card members are not eligible. Bummed as I love my Gold 2X @ gas/grocery and all the promo's that go with it.
Anonymous

Haha. Thanks for the mention of ageing. I'm right there, too.
I enjoy reading what the young people write. I encourage them to play this game. They have the time for this game to benefit them greatly over the years.
But, I have to run every idea through the filter of do I really have enough time for this to pay off for me.
I made my bucket list in 2006. The Great Recession has slowed my traveling down considerably. 2011 will be the first year that I have not been able to accomplish even one trip from the bucket list. So sad; maybe next year.
I find that the post I've enjoyed most this year was about the grandbaby. Seems like there was one about your old ticker. And of course, that trek through hotest China. (better you than me).
Thanks for "keeping on", Rick. Here's hopeing I'll be reading this blog for years to come!
Cindy

I love that you got a reader tip to convert the Premier to Forward with no pull. Isn't it great to share tips so we all benefit?!
Scott C

@Anonymous @7:09
Re inquiries, you are correct that inquiries that are over 2 years old no longer appear on your reports. Also, inquiries over 1 year old, while still on your report, are ignored by FICO for scoring purposes. Not sure how Vantage or other scoring algorithms treat inquiries as they age.
Anonymous

Rick,
Have you considered adding in the BOA Hawaiian 35k and the Bank of Hawaii 35k cards? Keep in mind that 70k Hawaiian miles equate to 140k Hilton Hilton points when transferred and you are always saying you are short on hotel points…

Also, I can verify that applying for both the BOA Hawaiian and the Bank of Hawaii cards on the same day will only generate ONE credit pull and not two…
JD

There is a better Citi TY Premier offer on their own website. 50,000 TY points and no annual fee the first year after a $2,500 spend in 3 months.

https://creditcards.citi.com/credit-cards/view-all-credit-cards/
Anonymous

Rick, you state that you'll maybe apply for the Chase United Explorer Business card for 25K in addtion to the personal card. I admit, I am not up on the latest Chase United policies, but I thought that it was no longer possible to churn Chase United mileage cards. Please clarify how this is possible? Thanks!
Mendel

Rick, looks like the Alaska Airways 40k link is down. If you have success with Alaska, please post which link it is that you used. Thanks.
Anonymous

I have a question, when was the last time capital one offered a huge bonus (100 K)? I never heard of it. I have a very bad luck with Chase (Will never apply to their CC again), but I am considering capital one. I already have all the CITI cards with their big bonus. Looking for something else..Right now they are offering 25 K at most.
Anonymous

Since you'r going after the new Explorer card, have you been a holder of the previous UA and CO cards? I'm holding both and am considering canceling to CO Onepass before it converts to UA explorer. This will enable me to later apply for the explorer card as a first time holder. Thanks, Bald Army Guy
FrugalTravelGuy

Simon the bank points cards are offering the big bonuses now. that's why.
anon: none are less than 90 days. that to me is the key
anon: glad to have readers of all ages including us balding guys
anon we added the B of A Hawaiian card Katy's churn
JD we used the citi link with no first year fee thanks
anon one is personal one is business two different cards in my mind
anon the last 100k was mid march 2011
anon bald army guy an older ua or co card does not disqualify you for the newer version of the cards.
Anonymous

How many Alaska Airlines CC's did you apply for this year? Do you reapply while the card is still open? And do you apply with the same Alaska number on each one?
Ben

I currently have a Citi TY card (not Premier) would I still qualify for the 50k bonus?
FrugalTravelGuy

Ben: There are three basic types of Thank You points cards Premier, Preferred and Forward. You will only get a sign up bonus once on each type of card.

Updated Application Results and Deal of the Day

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