Looking back on my updated credit report several days ago I noticed that I had applied for a good deal of credit cards in 2011. If memory serves me right, that was our big year for big sign-up bonuses. In the last days of February 2011 and the first few days of March 2011 I had twelve inquiries including three from Capital One for the first 100,000 points match card offer they had. I was denied for that 100K offer because I had a bunch of applications the last week in February and “too many recent inquiries” killed my chances for the 100K match. Katy took advantage of that offer. Ah, the good old days.
All those inquiries are about to fall off my report as they are approaching two years of age. Half of them (six) are on Experian, where I currently have 19 inquiries that are less than two years old. With the absence of a monster offer available, a huge pile of miles in my account, and nothing of interest or need, I’m going to postpone my next few applications until March 18th from my originally planned date of February 22nd. By waiting the extra three weeks, another 8 inquiries will fall off my report making my file look stronger than ever. The extra time will also put a little more time between my last few applications and my next few. I will actually have 6 full months since my last applications dated 9/18/2012.
Between Katy and me, we have over 2 million miles in our accounts, and there is no hurry to pile on more. Between now and mid-March I’ll:
- Look for a monster offer to change my mind.
- Research the Club Carlson card and all the current chatter online about its bennies.
- Try to confirm that I can hold both the Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa card and Mastercard at the same time and receive the signup bonus for each. (I’ve had the Visa version for about two years now.)
As an added point of interest, Katy’s recent Chase Sapphire Preferred Mastercard application was approved after a reconsideration call. During that call there was considerable questioning about her previous card applications earlier in 2012. There was more interest by the Chase reconsideration rep than I recall ever hearing before, particularly for inquiries more than 90 days old. Don’t be surprised if you encounter the same questioning.
As always, answer truthfully when asked. We did have approvals for mileage cards from US Airways which is the only airline that flies out of our local Hilton Head airport. We did get an approval for a Bank of America card (Alaska) as they partner with my primary carrier American and our Citi application was for a business card that would have added to our American balance as well. The reps are looking at your report while discussing the situation with you. Play it straight. Katy will be getting the Sapphire Preferred card. Ultimate Reward points are certainly very flexible. We like flexibility in our house.
Deal of the Day
For today’s Deal of the Day American Airlines AAdvantage® has provided 2500 AAdvantage® miles for the best deals, fares, promotions, anything related to American Airlines, their oneworld partners or AAdvantage® partners. Add it to the comments section of this post or this afternoon’s Deal of the Day post by 11:59PM ET (with your first name, last initial, and home airport) to be eligible to win.
