FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Churning Strategy for a Heavy Spender, How Many Cards per AOR Should I Go?
Old Nov 1, 2014 | 3:49 pm
  #9  
KennyBSAT
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Antonio
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 2,276
Suggestions and opinions:

Churning refers to opening another card you've already had for a second (or third or whatever) bonus. You're talking about getting lots of cards but no churning yet.

Rigid planning of apps is silly. Take the best offers available, and if something comes along that you want, jump on it. Don't do an SPG at 25K, do it when it's 30K.

App-O-ramas are overrated and outdated. I open a card (or two or three) every 30-45 days or whenever there's a deal worth taking. But I have a 15 year credit history and a 10 year old card. You may very well need to take it slower.

You can save tons of miles on the burning end by learning to do efficient award bookings and making the most of sweet spots. For a fun little example of an around the world trip with 8 or 9 stops for ~135K miles, check out this post.

Based on your preferences, that Hilton AMEX is a totally wasted app. Get an AMEX Platinum card for 100-150K points or a PRG for 50K instead.

I'd get the Alaska card with 25K miles and $100 statement credit (this one you can churn and get one every 3 months or so) instead of the BofA card you listed.

I'd get a Citi Business or Executive AA card rather than the ThankYou points card.

I'd MS (or put regular spending) on the Barclays Arrival card and skip the Capital One with its hard pull on all 3 credit bureaus. And I'd likely switch that and the Lufthansa card, as LH miles aren't good for much on coach travel other than on United within the Americas, and Air New Zealand (due to surcharges).

Finally, I'd look into US Bank's cards, specifically the Club Carlson. You'll want to freeze ARS and IDA to apply for one of those, but the more cards you get the less likely that US Bank will approve you for anything.
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