FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - 2014 App-O-Rama (AOR) and Churn Advice Archive
Old Feb 9, 2014 | 8:52 am
  #246  
StartinSanDiego
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Originally Posted by sincera4565
Hey FlightNurse,

Thank you so much for your reply! Indeed I have a few cards already:
Discover
Citi Dividend
AMEX SPG, BCP
Barclays Arrival
Chase IHG

Since my SPG is from last summer, I may apply for the bus ver after I cancel my card during then. And I might consider apply for an AA card afterwards to get some AA miles.

Since I am still new to my area, I will hold on to the exec AA card now. Once I know more about how I can do MS in my area, I might do that afterwards (given the offer still exist by then)

But yea, thank you so much and I am so excited to get involved in the FT forum!

Peter
Welcome to Flyertalk, Peter. I'm not sure if you realize that you can apply and hold personal and business versions of the same card. This is a handy way to double up on your miles accrual. You do not need to wait on that, except (some) banks have strategies that work better to increase your odds of multiple approvals. You would mostly find the advice on "best practices" in the wikis for each particular program.

In general, hang on to both your oldest card(s) and your no fee cards. This increases your average age of accounts (AAOA), which is an important component in your fico score.

Most people with a decent fico score don't need to slow down or apply strategy until they've done about 6-10 or more new apps in a relatively short time frame. If you apply in regular cycles, that's called "churning"-- and, yes, you will have to strategize to increase your odds of approval. You are a long way from that, with one card each from Chase and Barclays, and now two cards with Citibank. You seem willing to take it slowly, but by all means, do earn enough points to go on vacation. It's not a problem to double up on a biz and personal credit card offer. It's also wise to focus on a family of points, so that your programs complement each other.

Good luck and keep us posted!
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