Archive for the ‘Experian’ Category

Update for Card Churners

If you are considering applying for a credit card or two, might I suggest holding off for a couple days. You may be able to add another big offer with your other applications to reduce inquiries or prevent you from taking an inferior offer. Let’s call it a good hunch and sorry, I can’t provide any more info than that.

10,000 Points for Insite

Aloha  send me this email series last night regaling his success with requesting the extra 50K from the Plat card, He added another 10K to his Membership Rewards total based on this thread in Milepoint.

My questions to my faithful Aloha reader were:

Did you actually install insite?
Were you targeted?
Have the points posted yet?

Aloha’s answers:

No, I have not downloaded Insite.
No, I was not targeted.
Yes, the points posted.
 
I gotta ask you guys: Is it raining miles and points where you live as well? I’m in a downpour here

New 60,000 Mile American Airlines Card Offer

As part of the 30 year anniversary Citi and American are offering 30K on sign up and a $1000 spend and a second 30K for a $10,000 spend in one year. Here is the link

There are also continuing reports of people still getting the 75K offer that expired months ago. I won’t post a link for two reasons: 1. I don’t have it and 2. There is no evidence of the signup bonus anywhere on the application page. This one is definitely Your Mileage May Vary. I’d rather have the 60K sure thing.
 
My All Time Favorite Day after Day after Day Card when not Meeting a Minimum Spend

Nothing more than rumors at this point, but I am hearing it from more than one source that there are some big offers coming from the major credit card issuers.

We had Barclays slip a big 50,000 frequent flier miles offer in with Lufthansa. And of course we are all either applying, or wishing we could apply, for the Chase 100,000 frequent flier miles British Airways offer. Remember: that one expires on May 6th. There is still some life in the American Express Platinum Card offer with the transfer bonus to Delta in play until the end of May.

We have never been in such an enviable position for cheap miles. The bonuses are increasing in size and the award charts are staying virtually the same. We are getting double the awards for our sign-up bonuses that we got prior to the financial meltdown. With airline prices they way they are, it is even more important to be able to score a free flight. Savannah to the west coast is now over $400.

If you are not monitoring your credit, I strongly suggest you do so. You need to know where you stand with each of the credit reporting agencies. I am continuing to use Truecredit  as I can see my credit report from each of the different agencies once per month. It is in this section of their reporting that I can see my inquiries from each bureau and calculate when they will fall off my report (two years). On the credit score side of the Truecredit website, I can update my credit scores on the VantageScore scale from each of the agencies once per month. I am looking for scores over 800 as a green light for more churning. If you are using a service with a FICO type score, the number is 700+ for most approvals and sign-up bonuses.

With so many good offers, it is becoming difficult to stay on my 90-day churn cycle, particularly when they put out the big bonuses for limited-time offers. I’m actually relieved the British Airways offer came now since I’m resting my applications until the first of June and had the BA deal last year. I just can’t get every offer.

“Your credit is one of your most important assets” has never been more true. A home, a car, a college education, and now more and more free travel are all available for those of us with good credit. It has been going on for 30 years. Let’s hope it continues for another 30!

Reader British Airways Email

Tokyo’s Rainbow Bridge © Andrew Ingersoll

I wrote this post about my on-the-fly experience in Japan a couple weeks ago. In light of recent events, I encourage those able to support the Japanese to do so in any way you see appropriate.

Tokyo on the fly
by Andrew Ingersoll

Over my few years of frugal flying, you will notice how much I have come to deeply respect and appreciate Asian culture. 

My first trip to Asia was on a United Mileage Plus ticket to Singapore via Tokyo.

After a 10-hour flight from Seattle to Tokyo, my heart rate was through the roof, palms sweaty — I was so excited to be somewhere so new. I was scheduled to depart Tokyo Narita in a couple hours. When I climbed down the stairway from the remote gate and saw the Japanese air field workers hustling around and the welcome staff smiling, I said, “Screw my connecting flight. I’m staying the night.”

“Yokoso” — Welcome to Japan! I rearranged my flights to depart the next day, purchased my surprisingly expensive round-trip Narita Express ticket into central Tokyo, and I was off.

The Shinkansen Bullet train was pulling out of Tokyo Station as I was coming in. “Holy crap, this is cool!” I thought.

With carry-on baggage in tow, I began wandering the streets of Tokyo, attempting to find a place to rest my head for the night. What surprised me the most was the lack of English lettering. Second was the lack of Japanese people who spoke English.  Thinking back now, what did I expect? I was in Japan. “Get over yourself, Andrew,” I thought. “The world is so much bigger than America.”

I ended up back at the train station hotel, donned my tiny kimono and slippers and dozed off to sleep, excited about my full day of exploring one of the world’s most amazing cities.

Don’t let a language barrier stop you. Embrace and appreciate the difference!

Tokyo can be an expensive city. I’d recommend redeeming hotel points to keep costs down. If you’re looking for an authentic experience, bed and breakfast inns can be reasonably priced and an authentic cultural experience. The opening of Haneda Airport to International commercial travel will significantly reduce the costs of getting into downtown Tokyo as Narita is a good hour outside of the city. 

Tokyo Metro Website
Japan Rail East Map (How intense is this map? Both Haneda and Narita Airports are serviced via train)

Andrew’s TripAlertz Referral Link. Thank You.

Chicago Seminar DO Registration Now Open

We have another great line-up of speakers and topics. Come join us in Chicago October 29th and 30th with two sessions on the evening of the 28th.

http://chicagoseminardo2011.eventbrite.com/

Platinum Card for the Delta Transfer Bonus, Elite Status, Lounge Access, $200 Incidental Credit and More. Read my February 6th blog post for details.

Everyday from August 10th through the 16th we will be talking about credit cards. Read all seven posts for a basic understanding of earning miles and points with credit cards.

You probably already have several of these cards in your portfolio and don’t even realize it. Here is the problem.

You are sold on the idea that if you are near your credit limit and you make a purchase that would send you over what you were approved for (notice I did not say credit limit), your purchase will be approved and an embarrassing moment may be avoided. That is a no preset limit card.

When the statement comes you must pay all the amount over what you were approved for (again, I did not say credit limit) in addition to the minimum monthly payment on the amount you were approved for.

Here is the rub, that negatively effects your credit: The highest amount you have ever had outstanding on the credit card is typically what is reported to the credit bureau as your credit limit, when in reality, it is only the highest amount you ever had outstanding.

Here is a good example; You receive a no preset limit card from Chase Bank for a United Airlines card (double check to be sure this is true) and the first month rack up $2000 on the card. Let’s assume your no preset limit amount is $10,000.

You pay off the card successfully in month #1 and the second month rack up only $1500 in charges. Here is what the credit report may see:

Current balance $1500
Credit Limit $2000

It appears to other lenders that you have a credit card with Chase Bank that is approved for a $2000 credit limit and you are at 75% usage already. It is not true, but that is how it is reflected on your credit report.

If you have balances on your credit cards over 50% of your credit line or credit limit, it is a serious negative on your credit report. Try to never be in over 50% at any one time. Of course on Business cards, which we know don’t reflect on your personal credit report in most cases, you can push that to about 85-90% before you will be negatively effected from my past experience.

If I were in your shoes right now, I’d be calling my credit card companies to see if my credit cards are no preset limit cards. And if they are, ask how you can switch them to cards with real credit limits. And it is always easiest to do this after you have received your sign up bonus

Remember, your credit is a very valuable asset. Do not abuse it.

Fare Sales Monday for Europe this Fall

Tom Parsons of Best Fares indicates that the fall sale to Europe will be next Monday instead of right after Labor Day. If you are planning a trip accross the pond, look out for bargains Monday.