Does Chase have a certain amount of time after closing a card when you're considered a new applicant and eligible for the sign-up bonus? Specifically, I had the United MileagePlus visa a few years ago and I wonder if I'd get the bonus for the Explorer card. Any idea?

Rene. people at times over think this stuff. at least, thatswhat I think

I have been reading your blog and a few others for a few months now. I have signed up for a few cards and about to start my first big churn in a month. I have one question I have not been able to answer though. when signing up for cards at the rate of 5 ever 91 days (4 churns per year) that is 20 cards per year. Since applications are considered new after 2 years of not having that card account, how hard is it to find 40 different cards to sign up for ? Your list has 30 different cards. Also how do I know what cards I should hold out for that might get a 100k bonus in the future? Last question, when you mentioned the state of alaska, can I assume you are talking about an airline that contains alaska, or something else?

Thanks for the help

How long do you keep the credit cards open? I would think the best strategy would be to close it as soon as the minimum period passes (usually 6 months, right?) so you can start the 2-year clock for AmEx, for example. Right? Wrong?

This leads me to the next step- how do you decide when to cancel a card? Do you keep them for a certain length of time, time the cancelation in relation to the churn, etc.?

Closing Cards: 1. When they ask me for money (annual fee) and wont give me a retention bonus offer worth more than the fee.

2. When they won't give me a new card because I have too many of them with the same bank and just reducing the credit line is not enough to sway them.

Some people like to close them at 6 months or ask for a retention bonus then and again when the fee comes due. I can never remember the 6 month mark but sure know when they want money from me

It sounds simple but I don't know if it is that simple. I was just denied by Citi for the Thank You card because of "too many inquires." I have 4 on my credit report, repeat 4 inquires, and two of those are from refinancing my house. The four inquires were from churning two bank of america cards that you refer to above and two inquires from the refinance. These occurred between March and July of last year. So for me we are talking 6+ months and I was denied for too many inquires. I even called the reconsideration line and their advice was to mail in the credit report showing that two of the inquiries are from a refinance. I suspect I am getting a hard time because I have never had a Citi card before but this seems extreme. I will probably call again and try a different rep. Any advice on how I should lead that phone call? 90 days sounds all well and good but for me that is not the case.

i've been churning for the first time and am curious as to how this all will affect my credit score, which is still excellent after opening a bunch of cards. how has it affected yours? does your score go down with cancelling yours?

Anon–regarding your Citi rejection…I agree with the other poster that it might be something else internal with Citi. Escalate it up to get the real answer. My husband just got rejected for the Thank You because of something 21 year ago! We're going to write to citi try to get them to reconsider but for now, Citi cards are not available for him.