(Offers on this page are now expired and are no longer available.)
As the blog grows so does the email, and I’m noticing two trends in reader concerns.
1. Concerns about the increasing minimum spend requirements of some of the new cards.
2. The concept of The Best Card Offer.
1. Increasing minimum spends are a fact of life that we will have to deal with. This blog’s readership is comprised of college students just getting by, new hires with limited salaries, and those who are extremely well off. The issue of minimum spends is of varying significance based on your ability to meet those minimum spends. Don’t over do it. Without our friendly US Mint supporting our habit, there is, indeed, a restraint on each and every one of us, based on income and average monthly spending on credit cards. We can juice things up by prepaying some bills, donating to charities like Kiva.org, or getting more aggressive with requesting that merchants accept cards. But the fact remains: It is what it is. A guy making $30K per year simply will not be able to apply for as many cards as a high-end earner.
My only suggestion is as I’ve always tried to say: This is a lifetime game. Plan your applications accordingly. If you want to try out four new cards and can’t meet the spending requirements, rethink your decisions based on what you can reasonably expect to accomplish in the allotted time frame for the aggregate minimum spend requirements. This is not the only time in your life you will be applying for cards. In all probability you will be applying for new and different cards in 90 days. We are dealing with a crack-like substance here (free travel!), and the tendency I’m seeing in some readers is to try too much too fast. Sometimes we just have to slow down. Managing your credit is more than “I want this one and that one and that one, too” or “You’re wrong Rick. This card is way better.”
2. The Best Credit Card. On the other side of the coin, I’m seeing an increase in emails and comments from readers who are suggesting the one card they just got is better than the one I am suggesting, or one of the other bloggers is suggesting at the time. And at times, the comments get pretty snarky??? If you want cards or are comfortable applying for cards one at a time, the offer you are suggesting may be better. I am truly happy for you. I never have looked at this as a competition and I’m surprised some seem to look at it that way. I never call out another blogger for choosing one card over my favorite at the time. It serves absolutely no purpose at all. People would in general would be better off if the coments on why in their particular circumstances they chose card A over card B were made in a constructive manner. We can all learn from one another.
What I am trying to do, and hope some of you will follow along with my thinking here, is to find the best six to nine current offers (plural) for my next 90-day applications. I’m not looking for the “best card” but the best combination of card offers that:
- I have not had before, or I have had before and because of the lapse in time can expect a bonus again.
- I can meet the minimum spend in the given time frame while considering other minimum spends..
- Has the least upfront annual fee or offers the best value for that annual fee.
- Offers the most value for my two to five-point hit per card on my credit score.
- Offers points or miles I need or can reasonably expect to need in the near future.
- That are spread around the three credit reporting agencies the best and fill in the openings I have within those credit reporting agencies.
- And lastly: If I haven’t filled in the six to nine slots, I’m hoping to find an offer that may be inferior to the best card offers, but helps fill out the day with value as I have an open spot within this 90-day window.
We are playing a serious game here with a very significant asset — our credit. Do what you can do at any given time, and that is it. Don’t push it. If you are not comfortable with multiple card applications then don’t do it. I’d rather see you play for a longer time than flame out in the short haul by making mistakes. This game is played by individuals with different goals and capabilities. Do what is best for you, but look at it as more than just one card at a time if you can and be aware of how it fits in your long-term plan.
Your credit is one of your most important assets.
A New Blog Recommendation – Mommy Points
I have been following MommyPoints for a short time now and suggest you all give her a read. Mommy has an uplifting, non-confrontation style and covers more than the everyday “Get 100 points for Signing Up Here” stuff or a rehashing of other bloggers’ posts. The articles about traveling with children are great for many travel hackers. They’re also a breath of fresh air. I like diversification in blogs and, quite frankly, with all the new entries into the blogosphere, things are getting pretty redundant.
Maybe it’s the smile on her face, the kids in the photos, her positive attitude that shines through her writing style, or a combination of all four. It really doesn’t matter. Reading MommyPoints just makes me smile as well. I’ve added her to my links list and hope you will as well. You can find Mommy Points on the Boardingarea.com blog group.
American Express Premier Rewards 15,000 Membership Rewards Points, NO First Year Fee 3X Airfare 2X Gas and Groceries
View:
Delta® Reserve for Business
- Annual Fee: $450 fee
- Foreign Fees: No
- Card Type: Travel
Add to Favorites
- Earn 40,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs after you spend $3,000 in purchases with your new Card in the first 3 months.†
- Earn 15,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and 15,000 bonus miles after you reach $30,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in the calendar year.
- Earn 2 Miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1 mile on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
- Settle into your seat sooner with Priority Boarding and enjoy 20% savings on eligible in-flight purchases in the form of a statement credit.
- Pay no foreign transaction fees when you spend overseas.‡
- Complimentary Delta Sky Club® Access.‡
- Terms and limitations apply
- See Rates & Fees
Breakdown
Earn (pt.)
Spend
3 months
0
$3,000
Per dollar on eligible purchases with Delta Purchases
2.00
$1
All Purchases
1.00
$1
Already have this card? Track it and maximize your rewards.
Delta® Reserve for Business
- Annual Fee: $450 fee
- Foreign Fees: No
- Card Type: Travel
| FTG Review | Reward Breakdown | Points Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
Breakdown
Earn (pt.)
Spend
3 months
0
$3,000
Per dollar on eligible purchases with Delta Purchases
2.00
$1
All Purchases
1.00
$1
|
||
|
Already have this card? Maximize your rewards.
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